The development of a range of extended services which are provided, or signposted, by schools is potentially one of the most powerful influences on improving outcomes for all children and young people, and on reshaping the delivery of services to best meet the needs of communities.

There are many challenges for schools and partner agencies in providing sustainable access to extended services in a large rural shire county like Devon.

We also have some advantages.

• Groups of schools are already working together in local learning communities.
• There is action research into multi-agency working with the Common Assessment Framework (CAF), information sharing and budget holding lead professionals through the AXS programme.
• Innovative and exciting practice is happening in areas where extended provision is already in place.
• We have schools that are the focus of community activity.

I hope you find this prospectus a useful source of information on a range of issues related to the development of the core offer.

I would encourage you to use the information and the self-audit form in Appendix four to review individual school and learning community positions in relation to the core offer. Remember that colleagues from a range of services are available to offer support and advice. This is a partnership activity — you are not alone!

Anne Whiteley
Director of Children and Young People’s Services

1. Glossary (56KB - pdf help)

2. Foreward (75KB - pdf help)

3. Introduction (29KB - pdf help)

4. Extended Services in and around Schools (ESS) - a priority for Children and Young People's Services (34KB - pdf help)

5. Improving outcomes (177KB - pdf help)

6. What is the core offer of ESS? (26KB - pdf help)

• quality childcare (primary schools only) on site or through local providers (577KB - pdf help)
• a varied menu of activities (237KB - pdf help)
• parenting support (323KB - pdf help)
• swift and easy access to targeted and specialist services (273KB - pdf help)
• community access to school facilities (123KB - pdf help)

7. Making it happen (355KB - pdf help)

8. Useful contacts (53KB - pdf help)

9. Appendices

• Appendix 1 - The Childcare Act 2006 (235KB - pdf help)
• Appendix 2 - Example leaflet for use by schools to provide families with information (91KB - pdf help)
• Appendix 3 - Example questionnaire (424KB - pdf help)
• Appendix 4 - Schools Audit (43KB - pdf help)
• Appendix 5 - Specialist provision (1.57MB - pdf help)

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