Excluded young people are more likely to be unemployed, research shows

According to research conducted by the new charity, IPPR, excluded children are the most vulnerable and are twice as likely to be in the care of the state.

According to the ‘Breaking the Link Between School Exclusion and Social Exclusion’ report, excluded children are seven times more likely to have a special educational need and 10 times more likely to suffer recognised mental health problems.

The IPPR states that “our education system is profoundly ill-equipped to break a cycle of disadvantage for these young people”.

In addition, the report goes on to say that “as mental ill health in young people rises, and more children are subject to interaction with social care services each year, more vulnerable children spill into the alternative provision (AP) sector”.

The report argues that this path “leads them straight from school exclusion to social exclusion”.

The IPPR also highlight the costs of exclusions. According to the report, “every cohort of permanently excluded pupils will go on to cost the state an extra £2.1 billion in education, health, benefits and criminal justice costs. Yet more pupils are being excluded, year on year”.

The IPPR recommends that a new programme should be established, “which develops expertise in the profession connects exceptional teachers to schools for excluded children, and creates a community of leaders to drive increasing inclusion throughout our education system”.