A life-changing scheme which supports children and adults arriving in Sandwell from abroad has secured additional funding of £91,000.
The fund was successfully secured through a bid to the government’s migration fund and will allow the STEPS (Sandwell Transition Education Partnership Service) Centre to remain open until 31 March 2020. This money is in addition to £770,000 awarded to the centre in December 2017.
Children who arrive in Sandwell from other countries, have the opportunity to attend the centre in Smethwick to continue their learning and direct their families to appropriate support services.
The centre provides opportunities for adults to attend short courses, English lessons in partnership with Halesowen College, The Sandwell Changes education programme about living in the UK and stay and play family learning sessions for under-fives.
STEPS is run by Sandwell Council with support from volunteers and voluntary organisations including The Albion Foundation, Rights & Equality Sandwell and Brushstrokes.
The centre has already helped more than 1,000 young people and supported more than 3,400 people since it opened in February 2017. The centre was recognised recently for its innovative approach at the 2019 Municipal Journal awards.
Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for best start in life, Councillor Joyce Underhill, said: “The STEPS centre addresses the gap between migrant families arriving in Sandwell and their children securing a school place.
“The centre makes a huge difference to these children and their parents – helping them to understand school protocols, friendships and how to be active members of the Sandwell community.
“These extra funds will allow us to continue the important work the staff and volunteers at the centre undertake.”
Sandwell Council has also been awarded £297,000 to support children arriving from abroad who have Special Educational Needs including social, emotional and mental health difficulties due to experiencing trauma. The money will fund the set-up of a new project called Holistic Opportunities for Person-centred Education (HOPE) and will also provide support to families through adult learning classes, community events and signposting to other relevant agencies.
