HALE is a registered charity (SCO 39978), set up to provide direct assistance to children, young people and adults who are at risk as a result of vulnerabilities, disability or disadvantage in regions and countries throughout the world. We also provide high quality consultancy, training, networking, skill and knowledge transfer and technical support in the development of strategies, programmes and services to help overcome these limitations. HALE supports countries and regions, in the developed and developing world, in identifying at national and regional level, the needs of vulnerable populations through its network of highly trained and experienced professionals. The trust offers practical and theoretical assistance in meeting these needs, involving professionals who have experience in working with such populations and who possess considerable knowledge of working with and for specialised agencies. HALE also specialises in the interpretation of international goals, targets and indicators, (such as Millennium Development Goals, Education for All goals in developing health for effective learning, and the MDG/UNAIDS linked goals on HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and support), into policies and strategies at national and regional level and the development and application of tools and models designed to support their successful achievement. Our programmes and project work are solidly based on research and evidence, supported by evaluation and monitoring.