Charlotte had a 3% attendance rate last term. This was due to anxiety attacks she had over travelling to school and being in school. Charlotte could not travel into school on her own as she suffered panic attacks on public transport and walking alone. She therefore relied on friends and family to accompany her to school. This caused lots of difficulty in attendance and punctuality because if no one was available to accompany her Charlotte would find it impossible to make her own way.

Charlotte is in year 11 at school and now has a reduced timetable due to the time she has missed and the lessons she finds it most difficult to attend. Charlotte has received support through the ON2 project. One of the most important targets for Charlotte was to build her confidence to travel independently. This was done by exposing Charlotte to lots of travel on buses and trains with her mentor. Looking in to the reasons for Charlotte’s anxieties and taking small steps such as paying the bus driver, sitting by herself which eventually led up to Charlotte making a journey by herself. Charlotte has now made several bus journeys by herself and can get to school without relying on other people. Charlotte still has a lot of anxiety but has felt more confident with the support she has received from ON2 and her school, that her attendance has improved dramatically. Charlotte has also been attending some sessions at Asphaleia’s learning centre focused on building skills entering employment. She will be attending a college interview next week and hopes to find a part-time job before ending the ON2 project.

Below is a brief summary of the ON2 project, run by Asphaleia Training

· ON2 (engaging Vulnerable Young People) aimed at 14 – 16 year olds who are at risk of becoming not in education, employment or training.

· ON2 is delivered in schools, at our learning centre in Worthing and within the community.

· Main outputs are for young people who are disengaged to become re-engaged in education, training or employment.

· Main target groups are non-attenders, looked after children, refugee children, traveller children, those with learning difficulties or behavioural difficulties.

· Interventions is individualized and includes: mentoring, information, advice & guidance, skills workshops, vocational tasters, drop-in service, team activities, skills for life support.

· 24 vulnerable young people supported so far, working across 7 West Sussex schools