reducing the impact of poverty and disadvantage on pupils’ learning
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Context and background to the effective or innovative practice
In Merthyr Tydfil, we evaluated the education service’s work on reducing the impact of poverty and disadvantage on pupils’ learning. We found that officers have forged valuable partnerships through a network of services provided by both the local authority and third sector organisations. The local authority established a corporate Tackling Poverty Strategic Group to provide leadership and governance for this work. The group includes heads of service from across the local authority and considered how resources could be used in a purposeful way to address disadvantage through cross-directorate and partnership working.
Description of nature of strategy or activity
Across services, local authority officers had a comprehensive overview of the needs of vulnerable learners and their families. At operational level, service leaders from across directorates worked together well. They have a clear understanding of how their provision is part of a multi-service response to tackle the impact of poverty on education. The Early Help Hub provides a useful central point of contact for families to access support and facilitates effective multi-agency working. This approach avoids unnecessary duplication of services and is helping children and their families receive the right support for their needs in a timely way. During the last year referrals from schools to the Early Help Hub doubled.