New research suggests that more can be done to identify and address the underlying needs of children to help prevent exclusion from school.
‘Persistent disruptive behaviour’ is the most common reason children in Bedfordshire are excluded from school.
But the research, commissioned by the Bedfordshire Violence and Exploitation Prevention Partnership (VEPP), highlights growing evidence that behaviour leading to exclusion is often linked to underlying or unidentified SEND, particularly conditions such as autism and ADHD.
The study by the Institute for Public Safety, Crime and Justice (IPSCJ) at the University of Northampton found that persistent disruptive behaviour accounted for over a third of exclusions in schools across Bedford Borough in 2023/24.
Early intervention can prevent long-term risk factors
It is widely recognised that exclusion from school is a leading risk factor in children being drawn into isolation, vulnerability, or violence.
As part of the research, both practitioners and young people described how unmet needs can leave pupils feeling overwhelmed, leading to emotional dysregulation and behaviours that can be difficult for schools to manage.
In some cases, relatively minor issues escalated because those needs were not fully understood, with researchers encountering examples where young people described uniform policies as rigid, which could heighten sensory discomfort.
The research highlights the importance of strengthening resources within mainstream provision in Bedfordshire, alongside supporting staff to identify signs of potentially unidentified SEND and trauma.
“I don’t hate coming to school any more”
It points to the importance of early identification, early intervention, and trusted adult relationships – an approach already being delivered locally through the School Navigator programme, a partnership between Bedfordshire charities YouTurn Futures and Link to Change, funded by VEPP.
The programme works directly in nine schools across Bedfordshire to support pupils most at risk and delivered over 330 one-to-one mentoring sessions in 2025/26.
Early impact shows improvements in well-being, including measurable reductions in anxiety and depression.
In one case, a young person at risk of exploitation and repeated conflict saw a significant reduction in behavioural incidents, later reflecting: “I don’t hate coming to school anymore.”
IPSCJ director, Professor Matthew Callender, said: “This is an important piece of research to create a shared and evidenced view of what is needed to reduce the risks of young people in Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) of becoming drawn into violence and exploitation.
“Researching these risks isn’t about labelling children, it’s about understanding the systems around them so we can intervene earlier, fairer, and more effectively.
“IPSCJ is committed to supporting positive evidence-based change, and we are delighted that this research will support the Bedfordshire VEPP to better support young people and prevent exploitation.”
Louisa Glynn, programme manager for the Bedfordshire VEPP, said the findings reinforced their belief that “behaviour is rarely the whole story”.
“It is often a signal that a young person’s needs are not being met,” she said.
“The earlier we can identify that need and provide the right support around them, the better the outcomes.
“Programmes like School Navigators, delivered through YouTurn Futures and Link to Change, are exactly the kind of interventions that build consistent, trusted relationships and help keep young people in mainstream education – giving them a real chance to thrive.”
John Tizard, Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire (Labour), welcomed the report to help reduce school exclusions.
“We must work in partnership – local authorities, the VEPP and others – to drive a county-wide objective to reduce both permanent and temporary exclusions.
“We need earlier identification of children who are vulnerable to future exclusions, alongside more pre-school interventions.
“Where exclusions do occur, in-school provision and programmes such as School Navigators have an important role to play. However, our priority should be to bring the overall numbers down.”
