London Education and Inclusion Project (LEIP): A cluster-randomised controlled trial protocol of an intervention to reduce antisocial behaviour and improve educational/occupational attainment for pupils at risk of school exclusion

Abstract

Background and study aims This study aims to find out about the effectiveness of an intervention run by Catch 22. The intervention targets young people who are deemed to be most at risk of exclusion from school by their teachers. Previous research shows that being excluded from school is associated with unemployment, criminal behaviour and self-harm. The intervention aims to target these ‘at risk’ young people and improve their communication skills and lessen behaviours which may lead to school exclusions. Who can participate? Children had to be entering year 9 or 10 in September 2013 to be eligible and be in the top 3-5% of ‘problematic behaviour’ in their year group. What does the study involve? Participating schools are randomly allocated to one of two groups: the intervention or the control group. The intervention is run from the participants’ schools over 12 weeks. It consists of group work sessions run by trained ‘keyworkers’ and one-to-one sessions. On occasion there may be family support work run from the participant’s home if deemed beneficial and necessary. Participants in the control group will benefit from a one-day employability workshop run by corporate volunteers giving an insight into the world of work.