"Giving Children and Young People a Chance"

Based on a successful Project in South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset Council commenced the Breakthrough Project in January 2008. The Breakthrough Project supports children with low self-esteem and behavioural issues at school. It aims to:

• Improve self-esteem and positive associations with school
• Motivate improved behaviour
• Prevent the targeted student from being permanently excluded from school
• Develop partnerships to build capacity to achieve joint outcomes

The Breakthrough Project is managed by Bath and North East Somerset Council's Sport and Active Leisure Team, in partnership with Bath Rugby Community Foundation.

Using sport as a focus, Breakthrough provides one to one support to targeted children and young people, in particular those who have been socially excluded. Referral to the project is generally as a result of, lack of engagement, risk of exclusion, anti-social behaviour and often includes learning difficulties.

Sports coaches (mentors) work with the children and young people, at the early stages of anti-social behaviour using their strong communication and interpersonal skills to develop positive relationships and a mutual respect. The sessions usually centre on sport using different activities and games to build friendship groups, confidence, relieve tension and motivate improved behaviour.

The mentor works with individuals to set goals for improved behaviour, which will be mutually agreed by the young person, the school, the scheme co-ordinator and home. When goals are met, they are rewarded (stickers, extra play time, etc). Often the mentor can be the only stable force in what can often be a chaotic life, spending quality time with them, over a whole academic year. The mentors also look to help the young person develop new interests and lifestyle choices that can continue when the placement finishes.

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