The Kensington and Chelsea Family Services Select Committee convened on Thursday to review the North Kensington Inclusion Pilot and the expansion of the Early Help model.
The review took place as part of a broader discussion on the Bi-Borough Children and Young People's Plan (CYPP), which outlines seven priorities for improving the lives of children and young people in the borough. The North Kensington Inclusion Pilot is highlighted as a key practice spotlight within the CYPP Two-Year On report.
According to the CYPP Two-Year On report [A4.1 CYPP Two Years On Report], the North Kensington Inclusion Pilot (NKIP) was established to promote school inclusion in North Kensington and thereby improve opportunities for the local community and those disproportionately impacted by school suspension or exclusion by identifying 'upstream' those at risk of suspension or exclusion.
The North Kensington Inclusion Pilot advocacy service, delivered by the Clement James Centre and Coram, offers advice and support to parents and carers on rights and responsibilities in relation to managed moves, suspensions and exclusions. The service has so far supported 76 children and their families- of which 68% (52) are eligible for Free School Meals and 40% (31) had SEN support and those of a Black/Black British and Arab background were the highest referred.
The report notes that the legacy of NKIP has seen the Early Help embedded worker model expand across the borough, and it is now delivered as the Early Help Inclusion programme in schools across Kensington and Chelsea.