Hackney REP

Hackney Rep is a community partnership of voluntary sector organisations and professionals committed to ending school exclusions and ensuring education is an equitable experience for young people from all backgrounds in Hackney. Through advocacy support for young people and families, research and campaigning and influence, Hackney REP supports all young people and famil ies experiencing at risk of school exclusion or facing barriers to accessing education according to their needs and rights. We focus particularly on supporting young people from Black Caribbean and African Heritage and/or SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) needs, due to their overrepresentation in Hackney school exclusions. We know from experience that community-based solutions are the only way to make long term improvements in our communities. While there is work on reducing school exclusions taking place nationally, we have seen first-hand that the top-down approach does not tackle the root cause of educational inequities. Our partners have extensive experience supporting the communities of Hackney and East London and are experts by experience. Through partnership working were are leading the way in tackling school exclusions in Hackney.