by Alison Sutherland, Executive Director of Children’s Services, Hartlepool Borough Council
Across Hartlepool, we have been working together to create a culture where inclusion is not seen as the responsibility of a single service, school or professional, but a shared commitment across the entire children’s system. This collective approach is delivering tangible results, most notably a 50% reduction in permanent exclusions. While there is still more to do, this achievement demonstrates what can be accomplished when partners unite behind a common vision for children and young people.
At the heart of our work is a commitment to strengthening inclusive practice within mainstream education. We recognise that the vast majority of children can, and should, have their needs met within their local school community. A key part of this has been the development of our Ordinarily Available Inclusive Mainstream Provision Framework, which provides greater clarity and consistency around the support schools can reasonably be expected to provide for children with additional needs. By creating a shared understanding of inclusive practice, schools are better equipped to identify needs early and respond effectively.
Alongside this, we have established a SEND Cluster Model, bringing schools together to share expertise, learning and evidence-informed approaches. This collaborative model has enabled effective practice to be developed and scaled across the town, moving us away from isolated solutions and towards a collective responsibility for improving outcomes for all children.
Partnership working has been central to our progress. The Hartlepool Inclusion Panel brings together colleagues from education, SEND, health and children’s services to focus on children whose needs may be becoming increasingly complex. By creating space for professional challenge, joint problem-solving and coordinated support, the panel helps identify solutions at an earlier stage and reduces the risk of exclusion.
Building on this foundation, we have used opportunities provided through the SEND and Alternative Provision Change Programme to establish an Alternative Provision Specialist Taskforce. This multi-agency group works alongside schools and services to identify barriers, coordinate interventions and ensure that children receive the right support at the right time. Importantly, it strengthens pathways between mainstream settings and specialist support while maintaining a clear focus on inclusion, participation and reintegration wherever possible.
The reduction in permanent exclusions reflects the impact of these collective efforts. No single initiative can claim responsibility for this success. Rather, it is the result of a system-wide commitment to inclusion, early intervention and shared accountability, creating a stronger network of support around children before challenges escalate.
Looking ahead, our next phase of development will focus on establishing a town-wide approach to Emotionally Safe Schools. Through a trauma-informed, trauma-responsive and nurturing lens, we will work with education settings to create greater consistency in how we understand and respond to behaviour, strengthen trusted relationships and promote emotional wellbeing. Crucially, this will not be an education-only programme. We are committed to extending these principles across wider children’s services so that children experience the same understanding, support and consistency regardless of which service they access, and at every stage of their involvement with services.
Although our work continues, the progress we have made reinforces a simple and powerful principle: inclusion is everyone’s business. When schools, services and partners work together around a shared ambition, we create the conditions in which more children thrive, fewer children are excluded, and every child is given the opportunity to achieve their potential.