When relationships break down for a pupil at school, for whatever reason, they run the risk of being excluded from school. This may be for a 'fixed term' of a few days, but some pupils become permanently excluded from school. Inevitably, excluded pupils are often very challenging, have behavioural issues and require specialist support and help. The Local Authority has the responsibility of providing placements for such pupils, and such work is not usually suitable for untrained church volunteers.
However, there are many excellent examples of Christian charities, which employ suitably qualified staff, working in this important field of education.
Some Christian trusts working in this area receive Government funding; others rely heavily on the generosity of churches, Christian individuals and charities. Your church may feel that it can support such a local charity with prayer and finance.
One example of a trust working in this area is The Vine Trust, Walsall YWCA. It was set up in 1989, the result of a mammoth effort by individual Christians, and the collaboration of various denominations in Walsall. They converted the notorious old 'Vine Inn' into a non-alcoholic youth centre. Since that time the charity has seen a gradual expansion in its quest to meet the needs of young people. The trust works with excluded pupils and among many things offers training in catering, guidance and advice. Now the trust runs an independent school, which is a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) and has a number of service level agreements with Local Authorities.