A NEW specialist education facility to help young people with complex or medical needs is set to open in St Helens' Beacon Building.

St Helens Council says the centre will support St Helens Council’s Launchpad Tuition Services, that has provided a safe haven for vulnerable pupils unable to access mainstream education from its Napier Street Inclusion Centre.

The council adds that it will help students achieve necessary life skills and access specialist provision that offers a formal education - as well as having access to counselling and mentoring opportunities.

The centre will also give a fresh purpose for the Beacon building on College Street, which has had significant vacant spaces since a number of services for young people moved out.

In a statement, the council said the move had been welcomed by parents.

Holly Donaghy, a parent of a pupil who left Tuition Services last year, said: “Having a chronically sick child is simply the worst time of a parent’s life.

"Tuition services took the time to understand our daughter’s
conditions and what she needed for her to achieve her potential.

"They listened to her medical professional’s advice and it worked.

"From the first day she went from strength to strength and achieved the most amazing results despite her attendance in school. It's a true sanctuary of hope and possibilities.”

St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Councillor Jeanette Banks, added: “The council recognises that many young people are unable to access mainstream education due to a variety of complex and/or medical needs.

"The staff at Tuition Services has a wealth of experience when it comes to supporting these young people to overcome their
various issues.”

Boxing world title challenger, Martin Murray will cut the ribbon to officially open the centre on October 23, and guests will then receive a guided tour around the facility by staff and current pupils.