The extended outreach team at North Ayrshire Council in Scotland provides tailored support for young people disengaged from learning, including those in care. Jackie Cosh investigates how it is getting results
Gordon had plenty to contend with when he was 15. His father had recently died and his mother was sent to prison. He and his sister were taken into care. Gordon moved into The Meadows residential unit, one of five children’s homes in North Ayrshire. “Gordon had a lot of anger,” recalls Brian McCann, assistant manager at the home. “He was confused and frustrated, and he had a lack of trust and lack ?of confidence.”
Tony Ross was Gordon’s guidance teacher, providing pastoral support at his school, ?St Matthew’s Academy. “Gordon was a very mature boy in his own way,” says Ross. “He knew his own mind to the point of being stubborn. He had an ‘I know best’ attitude. There was a lot of negotiation – he bought into some activities more than others.”
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