What needs are unmet?
Strategic Issue 1
- Current attendance hubs and mentoring schemes are not fully accessible to families with complex needs.
- Lack of coordinated approach between school improvement, inclusion support, and family engagement.
- Future need: integrated multi-agency attendance and inclusion service with digital engagement tools.
Strategic Issue 2
- Family Hubs and early years programmes do not reach all deprived areas consistently.
- Limited coordination between health, education, and social care for early intervention.
- Future need: universal access to speech and language support and home learning programmes, with targeted outreach for vulnerable families.
Strategic Issue 3
- Skills Bootcamps and AEB-funded courses exist but are fragmented and not aligned with local employer demand.
- Lack of coordination between schools, colleges, and employers for career pathways.
- Future need: integrated skills pipeline linked to clean energy and advanced manufacturing sectors, including lifelong learning provision.
Strategic Issue 4
- Careers education and outreach programmes are inconsistent and often fail to engage parents.
- Initiatives to raise aspirations (e.g., #StayLocalGoFar) are not fully embedded in schools or community networks.
- Future need: sustained, multi-channel aspiration-building strategy starting in primary school, with mentoring and role-model programmes.