1. Joining the Dots Forum School Community Partnerships to support young people to remain engaged in learning and at school (Grade 5 – Year 9) Vivienne Archdall Melbourne Graduate School of Education

2. Successful transitions means linking with others “A successful transition depends on a young person’s abilities to transform relationships with family members and peers (of both sexes) and to extend their relationships into the broader community.” www.growinghealthykids,Canada

3. “ Effective transition programs reduce later levels of delinquency and substance abuse and increase school retention and achievement.” Felner & Adan, 1998, Fuller, Bellhouse, Johnston & McGraw, 2001

4. Why Collaborate? Activity in fours - discuss What are the benefits for students when their school collaborates with a community? What can the community sector provide that the school cannot?

5. Why work cross-sectorally? Economic rationalist approach Professional intervention approach Crisis driven approach Better outcomes approach Social justice approach

6. Some International Research Evidence about Outcomes: Making the Difference: Research and Practice in Community Schools (2003) USA Insight 7: Key Findings from the National Evaluation of the New Community Schools Pilot Programme in Scotland (2003)

7. Benefits Reported in Making the Difference (USA) include: Improved School Climate / Effectiveness Changed attitudes of staff to onsite services Increased resources through community partnerships Increased teacher attendance Teachers reported benefits from feeling connected to a positive school community. More innovation in curriculum and increased project based learning connected to community

8. And: Increased Community Vitality Increased community knowledge and improved perception of the initiative Increased community use of school buildings, knowledge of and use of community agencies and facilities Improved sense of security and safety Strengthened community pride and identity (Blank,M. Melaville, A., & Shah, B. (2003). Making the difference: Research and practice in community schools.)

9. Benefits Reported in Insight 7 (Scotland) include: Better pupil experience & attainment Students reported greater engagement in school Professionals and families endorsed the student view 66% of secondary students and close to 50% of primary students surveyed noted improved student attitudes to school. Vulnerable children were retained in mainstream schooling and needs identified earlier Moderate increase in retention of students to Yr 11.

10. M.Ed (SW) 2012 And: Greater family engagement and agency collaboration Staff reported that parents accessed services more Increased engagement of parents of vulnerable children Increased support for vulnerable children and more inclusive approaches Increased multi agency approaches and inter- professional understanding Increased family/community engagement by Yr 3 of the project– adult learning, use of school facilities, innovative youth work activities and links between schools & community agencies [Insight 7: Key Findings from the National Evaluation of the New Community Schools Pilot Programme in Scotland (2003)]

11. So what is Cross Sectoral Working - What does it involve?

12. M.Ed (SW) 2012 Can entail relationships: Across Different Sectors e.g. health, education, local government, employment Across Different Organisations e.g. community health centre, school, sporting club Across Different Professions e.g. youth workers, teachers, social workers, nurses, educational psychologists

13. M.Ed (SW) 2012 Can entail different roles: Policy development Management of a service Project implementation Direct service delivery

14. Can entail different processes: Various frameworks but generally seen as a continuum of increasing complexity from : Networking – to Co-ordination – to Co-operation – to Collaboration/partnership (Vic Health Partnership Tool 2011)

15. Discovering potential (in pairs) For schools Identify an issue/program/concern in your school that needs attention (it could relate to transition) Outline your concern and in relation to this issue: Identify which of your current community links might be interested in this issue/ be a resource Identify what other organisations/agencies could be engaged? For community agencies Identify an issue/program/concern that needs attention (it could relate to transition) Outline your concern and in relation to this issue: Identify which of your current services might be interested in or could address this issue/ or be a resource for schools Identify what other organisations/agencies could be engaged?

16. “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” Charles Darwin