Worthing centre for traumatised children set to open doors

Red Balloon, an educational and therapeutic charity for children who have excluded themselves from school, is set to open a centre in Windsor Road in Worthing after refurbishment and is starting an initial staff recruitment drive.

Rob Watson, the charity's director of education, said: "Some children simply cannot go to school any more because they have been severely bullied, they are too anxious, or because they have suffered a trauma, such as bereavement, injury or medical condition.

"They stop going to school, even though they want to learn, want to make friends and prepare for their adulthood. But their futures are in jeopardy if they drop out of learning, and become socially isolated."

• READ MORE: Charity set to open first Sussex learning centre for anxious and bullied children

The charity, which has four other centres in the south east, as well as an online programme, had been looking to support students in and around Worthing for some time, after a search for a property suitable for the centre.

Rob thanked local tradespeople, companies, funders and volunteers for their support and said they had been "amazing in helping transform this ex-care home into a really gorgeous and welcoming space."

The centre will support a maximum of 20 students, which will run alongside its 'Red Balloon of the Air' programme, which delivers online and face-to-face learning for students unable to attend in person.

Red Balloon's centres are designed to feel as much like a home environment as possible, with a split learning day with "negotiated learning", well-being sessions and social activities aiming to have a positive impact on its pupils.

The classroom of the new centre in Worthing

The charity received planning permission in October last year and is now waiting for approval from the Department of Education and Ofsted so it can open its doors to students.

Red Balloon is hiring for five different positions at the centre, including head of centre, teachers and school cook.

The centre aims to recruit additional teachers, family support workers and therapists as the centre grows.

Further information about the centre and the job vacancies can be found on the charity's website.

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