Jenny McNeill (pictured), team leader of Falkirk Council’s Interrupted Learners Service (ILS), which is part of the Outreach Team in the ASN Service, has been awarded the Improving Life Experiences Award by Scottish Charity, Children’s Health Scotland at an event in Edinburgh in late August. The award was only one of seven.

The Service ILS - known as ‘The Cottage’ by the young people who use it - is based in a house in Falkirk where students can learn in an environment that helps bring students back into schoolwork or other positive destinations such as college or further training.

Work with teachers and young people takes place in a one-to-one or small group style in a situation that is more like a family home than a school. This allows students to overcome issues that prevent them from learning in a conventional setting where students develop strong relationships with staff.

Pictured: The garden at The Cottage.

Jenny explained: "I am delighted to have won this award for Improving Life Experiences. The award is recognition for the ILS team, teachers Tracey Pollock and Lynn Day, who work very hard to give that support to many young people who find it difficult to interact in a school environment.

"The Cottage has really helped get the best from the young people who attend and gives them more confidence in their abilities to continue with studies or toward other positive destinations. Our goal is for every young person who comes through our doors to feel successful and supported, and that’s something we achieve together along with our partners."

"The team works together with Forth Valley College who provide ILS with their own bespoke course where students can learn practical skills such as cookery and painting and decorating whilst also being supported in their academic studies. Without this support many of our young people would never go on to further education."

She added: “Visiting the college and seeing the students thrive is incredibly rewarding especially when they run up to me to share their achievements, it reinforces how important our work is.”

The nomination for Jenny’s award came from a mother and daughter who had been supported by The Cottage over several years. The young woman, who faced significant challenges, recently completed her time at The Cottage and is now transitioning into adulthood with confidence and success.

Jon Reid, Director of Education said: “The support offered by Jenny and her team is unique and helps individuals to achieve their best due to the unique surroundings the Cottage offers and to the skills Jenny and her team have.”