Every Child Programme
What is the problem?
Many children in Manchester are at risk of exclusion from mainstream education due to behavioral difficulties. However, exclusion often addresses the visible symptoms (such as disruptive behavior) rather than the underlying causes. Findings from a previous pilot revealed that:
- 80% of at-risk students had undiagnosed speech, language, and communication needs.
- Most were two years behind in reading age, highlighting significant developmental challenges.
These issues lead to disengagement, poor attendance, and reduced academic performance, placing children on a path toward exclusion and limiting their potential for success.
The Every Child Program adopts a proactive, evidence-based approach to address the root causes of school exclusions and help children stay engaged in mainstream education. The program’s core components include:
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Collaborative Approach
Bringing together Manchester City Council, nine schools (including the Pupil Referral Unit), children, families, funding partners, and community organizations to create a unified and effective support network. -
Targeted Monitoring
Regular assessment of key developmental areas—cognitive, social, and emotional—to identify early warning signs of difficulty. The program employs robust tools, including:- Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT-4), with access to the Dyscalculia Screener as needed.
- National Group Reading Test (NGRT), with access to the National Group Spelling Test (NGST) and Dyslexia Screener if required.
- Pupil Attitude to Self and School (PASS) to capture students’ perspectives and challenges.
- Short Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale to evaluate emotional well-being.
These assessments are combined with attendance, exclusion, and attainment data to monitor progress over time and ensure timely interventions.
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Tailored Interventions
Based on identified needs, schools are supported in implementing customized solutions, such as:- Speech, language, and communication therapy.
- Academic and emotional support designed in partnership with local and national organizations.
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Sustainable Impact
The program integrates findings into local governance structures to ensure long-term change. This collective approach supports scaling the impact across Manchester while continuously improving strategies based on data and outcomes.
The pilot program demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach. By addressing the root causes of exclusion, 100% of at-risk children remained in mainstream education after two years, showing significant improvements in attendance, behavior, and engagement. The Every Child Program now seeks to replicate and expand this success, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their challenges.
