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MP upset at school bosses’ charity ‘snub’
Preston’s MP today hit out at education bosses for knocking back an approach from a charity that supports badly bullied children.
Mark Hendrick tried to set up a meeting between himself, County Hall schools chief Coun Susie Charles and members of Red Balloon, a Preston education centre for kids forced out of mainstream schools due to severe bullying.
But the Labour MP was left upset after Coun Charles declined to meet them to discuss Red Balloon’s work.
A letter sent to Mr Hendrick from Coun Charles said Lancashire County Council was aware of Red Balloon’s work but has other services to support bullied youngsters.
Mr Hendrick said he was concerned education authorities were not doing enough to tackle bullying, especially after he heard about two recent inquests where two teenagers who had been bullied at school committed suicide.
Mr Hendrick said: “I’ve had numerous complaints from constituents about bullying in various schools in the city.
“Why am I getting so many cases coming to me?
“There have been kids dying around the city and I want to discuss it with the relevant authority.
“Red Balloon is an organisation I want to see get support because they are doing such excellent work.
“It is groundbreaking and is making a difference.”
Three schools in Lancashire have paid to send severely bullied pupils to Red Balloon in Preston since it opened in February,
Another student had to seek funding from a charity to pay for his place there.
Carol Hargreaves, co-ordinator at Red Balloon in Preston, said she was disappointed not to secure a meeting with Coun Charles.
She said: “There are five students here that are not catered for (by the local authority).
“We just wanted an opportunity to present a case that we are needed, that the work is not already being done and that we are cost-effective.”
Coun Charles said: “Senior officers from Lancashire County Council have been in contact with and visited Red Balloon, and I have been fully informed about their services.
“As the stated purpose of the proposed meeting was to find out more about Red Balloon, I did not feel it appropriate for that meeting to take place.
“The local authority takes the issue of bullying extremely seriously and an anti-bullying group was formed to challenge and support schools to deal with all aspects around bullying.
“I will be writing to Mr Hendrick to let him know I am happy to arrange a meeting with him, and senior officers from the local authority, to discuss the wider issues he raises about bullying, at which I can share with him some of the excellent work being done to support young people.”
Red Balloon was opened in February in Winckley Square to offer teaching for youngsters aged between 11 and 17.
The centre was the fourth opened by the charity across the UK.
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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