Why are extended services needed?
In 2003 the government published a document called Every Child Matters, which considered the well-being of children and young people from birth to 19 years.
This led to debate about services for children, young people and their families, and there was wide consultation with people working in children’s services, with parents and carers, and with children and young people themselves.
A number of outcomes were identified, to which all children and young people should have a right. These were:
- to be healthy
- to stay safe
- to enjoy and achieve
- to make a positive contribution
- to achieve economic well-being.
In order to achieve these outcomes, the need for more effective and easily accessible children and family services, working together in a more integrated way, was identified. The Children’s Act, which was passed in 2004, provided the framework for such services to be developed.
As a result of these findings and subsequent government legislation all schools are becoming more responsive to the various and complex needs of children, young people and their families. They are also working much more closely with other services such as health, social care, the police, a variety of voluntary and community organisations, and so on, in order to meet those needs in a more joined-up way.
Clearly, the first priority of all schools is still enabling children and young people to learn so that they can achieve their potential and have the best possible chances in life. But schools recognise that their pupils’ abilities to learn are deeply influenced by other factors in their lives, very often outside of school.
So they are keen to work parents, communities and other agencies to help children and young people overcome challenges and barriers, and to provide the best possible circumstances and environment for them to achieve well-being and to learn what they need in whatever way is best for them.