The West Area Inclusion Partnership (West AIP) is a partnership of Schools in West Leeds that work together to support children and young people who may be vulnerable to exclusion, at risk of missing education, or who need additional support to remain successfully engaged in learning.

West AIP works closely with Leeds City Council, which provides funding to support the work of Area Inclusion Partnerships across the city. This partnership approach is a distinctive feature of education in Leeds and has played an important role in supporting inclusion and keeping permanent exclusions from Leeds schools at a low level.

The Secondary West AIP is made up of six secondary schools: Dixons Unity Academy, Leeds West Academy, The Farnley Academy, Pudsey Grammar School, Crawshaw Academy and Co-op Academy Priesthorpe. By working together, the schools are able to share expertise, resources and provision and respond to the needs of children and young people across West Leeds. The Secondary Partnership is led by Project Director Helen Grayson, and chaired by John Mace, the Vice Principal of the West SILC.

The West AIP provides a range of support for pupils who may be experiencing difficulties in mainstream education, particularly where social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs are affecting their learning, attendance, behaviour or ability to engage successfully in school.

Our support includes outreach work within mainstream schools. This allows experienced staff to work alongside school staff to understand a young person's needs and identify practical ways to help them remain engaged in education. Where appropriate, this work can also involve the young person and their family.

The West AIP, a pathway of the West SILC, provides a Key Stage 3 and 4 inclusion base called West Link. This offers a smaller and more supportive learning environment for young people who need a period of education away from their mainstream school. Placements are designed around individual need and, wherever appropriate, aim to help pupils successfully return to and continue their education within their mainstream school.

Support from West AIP is arranged in partnership with the young person's school. If a school believes that West AIP support may be appropriate, staff will discuss this with parents or carers as part of planning the most suitable support for the young person.