Breaking the cycle

SCHOOL suspension and expulsion numbers have increased significantly across Ireland since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new figures from Tusla.

Knowing that students who experience suspension are more likely to disengage from the education system, become involved with the juvenile justice system and experience

homelessness, what are we doing to prevent the escalation of these issues?

At YMCA Dublin, we run an Alternative Suspension (AS) programme, which supports students who are at risk of disengagement from education or have been suspended. As an alternative to the traditional exclusionary school suspension approach, this is an internationally proven intervention, originally researched and developed by YMCA Canada, which offers targeted support and advocacy to help ensure better educational outcomes and positive changes to youth mental health and wellbeing. Students are empowered to work through their difficulties in a constructive manner and last year, we saw a 43% reduction in negative behaviours among participants.

Education Minister Norma Foley recognised the need for a framework for students who are at risk of becoming disengaged from education in last year’s report on the review of out-ofschool education provision. Recommendations outlined requirements for ‘a standardised referral framework to provide clear structure, guidelines and accountability’.

The AS programme offers a structured framework that has proved effective and we believe it is a service that can be rolled out nationwide. This programme can act as a preventative intervention to disrupt the suspension cycle. However, state support and investment will be required to make this happen.

Supports such as Alternative Suspension need to become a national priority to help support vulnerable students, prevent educational disadvantage and transform future outcomes for young people. If we fail to invest in our youth, who will? Leanne Young, YMCA Dublin, Dublin 8