Formerly the New Communities and Travellers team.
What do we do?
The Access team supports families from Central and Eastern Europe, refugees, asylum seekers, travellers and vulnerable groups, with access to education.
Families can self-refer by contacting us on 01274 439393 or they can attend our drop-in, details below. Or they can be referred by any professional on behalf of the family. See below.
The service also supports and signposts its client group, taking into account the wider family support needs including SEN, Benefits and Early Help. Specialist staff in the team advocate on behalf of families who are experiencing barriers in accessing appropriate education settings. There are workers within the team who speak languages including Slovak, Polish, Czech and Hungarian but we can also access most languages through our partner, Enable2.
Interpreting and translation
For any queries relating to interpreting and translation, please email [email protected] or call 01274 439393.
Free School Meals (FSM)
The Access team only support with FSM enquiries for asylum seekers. If you have any other queries relating to FSM, please contact 01274 432772.
Refugees and asylum seekers
Refugee and asylum seeker children have the same entitlement to education as other children in the UK however they can often find it harder to access education due a number of barriers which may include language, past experience and trauma. The Access Team aim to support refugee and asylum seekers into education through practical support and advice. The Access Team is also on hand to provide advice and support to schools who have refugee and asylum seeker children on roll. Please see our ‘Quick guide to refugees and asylum seekers’.
How to make a referral for support with access to education?
Referrals to the Access Team can be made by any professional on behalf of the family by completing the referral form and sending it to [email protected]
Please ensure that families have consented to the referral, where possible getting consent to sharing information form signed by the family prior to making a referral.
Drop-in
The Access Team runs a drop-in at Britannia House, every Tuesday morning between 9:30-11:30am during term-time. If families are being signposted to the drop-in, they are asked to attend with the children needing school places and with copies of their ID and tenancy documents.