ABSTRACT
Children who came on short respite successfully returned to their mainstream schools; permanently excluded students were in the minority. Mainstream schools are beleaguered and struggle to get the specialist help that would make a difference to these children's lives; Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language specialists and CAMHS are extremely difficult to get hold of and schools are expected to buy in provision privately, putting a massive strain on budgets. A typical Pupil Referral Units (PRU) will have approximately thirty-two children at primary level and a similar number at secondary, with no more than eight children and, at least, one teacher and one TA to a class. Most children who come to the PRU are highly anxious and struggle with any form of transition; they benefit from a structured approach which consolidates firm rules and boundaries. The government needs to ensure that supportive mechanisms are in place for children who struggle and their teachers.
