The Northumberland Extended Services Strategy
In Northumberland we deliver the full core offer of Extended Services provision through a partnership based approach.
Our aim is to ensure that all Northumberland schools
deliver access to the full core offer of extended services
through collaboration with one another in school partnership groups alongside other statutory and voluntary sector
services and agencies.
A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO EXTENDED SERVICES DELIVERY
THROUGH COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP WORKING
School partnerships cover specific geographical areas throughout the county and a catholic partnership coordinates provision across a number of catholic faith schools. At least one Children’s Centre is located within each area leading on the childcare aspect of core offer provision and an integrated FACT team is also located within each partnership area, focusing on meeting the needs of the more vulnerable and at risk within our communities. Northumberland’s Adult Learning Service leads on community access, adult and family learning and the Youth Service contributes towards the varied menu of provision alongside our Study Support strategy. Both Adult and Youth Services are also located around school partnership areas. Parenting support is incorporated within the
Extended Services strategy and the work is coordinated by Northumberland’s Parenting Strategy.
The Extended Services strategy is coordinated within each partnership area by a local Extended Services team which may include a strategic leader, a coordinator, a parenting worker and administrative support. The work is funded by the Local Authority although additional funding is also sought to supplement the LA grant. Funding has also been made available from the LA to help partnerships meet local needs through delivery of core offer provision.
PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT AND STEERING GROUPS
Each partnership is required to establish a multi-agency steering group to lead the work in their area and ensure that provision is developed to meet local needs. Representatives from schools, Children’s Centres, FACT teams, Adult and Youth Services, Voluntary and Community sector organisations, young people, parents, community members and school governors are encouraged to contribute to the group. Each group is required to produce a partnership agreement outlining their commitment to delivery of extended services provision within their area.
MONITORING AND EVALUATING THE IMPACT
Every Extended Services Partnership is accountable to the Local Authority for extended services delivery and quality of provision. Northumberland has agreed targets to meet the national statutory target of 100% of schools to achieve full core offer status by 2010. Currently around 70% of schools have achieved full core offer status and by August 09 we expect 85% of schools to be achieving this and 100% by 2010. Progress is monitored through rigorous analysis of evidence against the national criteria for each core offer area and through regular progress meetings with every Extended Services partnership team. The central Local Authority Extended Services team is accountable to the Executive Director of Children’s Services through the Director of Schools and Family Support. In addition to core offer delivery and quality, Extended Services is also accountable for its contribution towards Local Area Agreement targets.
"Although schools are at the hub of Extended Services it is the positive and collaborative working relationship with and between all statutory and voluntary services that will make ‘Extended Services’ a sustainable success."
