Enablers for successful implementation – schools as community platforms

Place

Shared entrance with a welcoming space for families with access to facilities.
Appropriate spaces on site for provision of core services and group activities.

People

Experienced staff whose roles include:

• coordination and facilitation of partnerships, positive relationships and resources. 
• engagement with the community,
• leading and facilitating joint planning and collaboration between partners, and 
• working across sector boundaries to identifying and addressing barriers to access to services and opportunities.

Strong committed leadership across the school and site services including. 

• Driving the delivering of high-quality education, commitment to welcoming and positive school culture and collaborative planning with community organisations.
• A strong, shared authorising environment from all service agencies and a shared expectation of collaboration and family-centred practice.

Opportunities

Appropriate services, opportunities and activities provided in partnership using existing service system resources.

• Early engagement and intervention via Maternal and child Health services, supported playgroups, children’s activities and appropriate parenting support.
• High quality, long day early learning.
• Comprehensive core health services available on site.
• Engagement of adults in learning, volunteering and employment.
• Additional engagement and enrichment activities available for children at the school site.

Purpose

• Aligned and committed governance group engaging in shared planning and accountability to agreed outcomes.
• Trusted relationships and space for disagreement, flexibility and community voice.
• System level authorisation.
• Organisation capability including backbone/ coordination support.