Ellie Ames 26 April 2024

Two-fifths of children face barriers to education

Two-fifths of children face barriers to education image
Image: Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com

Millions of pupils are struggling to learn because of unstable family environments, mental health challenges and poor attendance, a major children’s charity has warned.

Action for Children commissioned a survey of more than 7,000 teachers in England who reported that almost two-fifths of their students (37%) – equivalent to 3.3 million schoolchildren– faced barriers to their education.

The most common barriers were unstable family environments; behavioural or emotional issues; mental health challenges, and poor attendance.

Just 2% of teachers said they believed students facing these challenges would reach their expected grades by the end of the academic year.

Action for Children urged the Government to make it a legal requirement for councils to provide early help services, backed with ‘significant funding’.

The charity’s national director for England, Catherine Joyce, said: ‘In this General Election year, it’s vital that all political parties focus on children – including what they need both inside and outside school.

‘This should include building a well-functioning and sufficiently funded early help system for children and parents in need of support.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Early Help Family Practitioner - 12 month FTC

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£39150.00 - £42861.00 per annum
Be the support that helps families find their strength and move forward.Be the support that helps families find their strength and move forward. As England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development

Swansea Council
£73,908 - £85,884
As Head of HR and OD Swansea (Abertawe)
Recuriter: Swansea Council

Early Help Practitioner

Durham County Council
Grade 6, £28,142 - £31,022 per annum
Durham County Council are on a continuous improvement journey in relation to its Early Help service. We are one of 75 Local Authorities who are part o Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Legal Clerical Assistant

Durham County Council
£26,403 to £28,598 p.a. (Grade 5)
A vacancy has arisen within Business Services for a full time, permanent Legal Clerical Assistant to provide legal clerical support to solicitors and Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Practice Coordinator

Durham County Council
Grade 13 - £47,181 - £51,356
Do you love supporting practitioners to bring their best selves to their work? We are looking for a Practice Coordinator to support our Social Worker Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner