ContinYou aims to open up opportunities for learning that will help people to change their lives, improving the well-being of individuals, families and communities.
A new virtual community for extended services practitioners
ContinYou is pleased to announce that it has developed The Learning Exchange which is a new networking website for the community of extended services practitioners in England.
The new site opened in September and so far, just over 200 people have joined. Their roles range from cluster managers and extended services co-ordinators in schools and local authorities to children’s centre managers, family support officers, community workers and headteachers.
The intention behind the site, which is fully moderated, is to enable practitioners in schools, local authorities and other organisations, both nationwide and beyond the UK, to share the good practice and resources they are developing while helping to develop the extended services strategy to improve schools and outcomes for children, young people and their families. Members are able to exchange their ideas and views on forums and blog about aspects of their extended services work; they can also make use of an extensive and constantly up-dated library of essential guides, case studies, research and analysis, news, videos, podcasts and other resources. Members will also be able to apply for annual Learning Exchange Awards.
Paddy O’Dea, Learning Exchange Manager says: ‘Although it’s still early days, we are starting to see some activity on the site. People have started to write blogs, which they’re treating rather like reflective diaries about their daily work around the development of extended services and which can be useful to other members by flagging up issues about which they may need advice. Several people have posted useful documents on the site and a few forums have started.
‘Once people realise that the Learning Exchange is where they can be part of a virtual community that offers supportive connections with their colleagues, we hope there will be some lively discussions and useful interchange of ideas. We’re hoping to see a wealth of experience being shared through new case studies that will demonstrate the full impact of extended services.
‘Showing parents, politicians, funders and other stakeholders the beneficial effects that extended services are having on the children, young people and families who need them most, particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, will give the extended services strategy a better chance of being sustained. People sharing their expertise and insights on the Learning Exchange will be key to this.’
The Learning Exchange has been developed with support from the Department for Children, Schools and Families. It is in its first development phase and ContinYou hopes members will help to fine-tune and enhance it with their suggestions and feedback about what it offers and how it works.
Visit the Learning Exchange website.
About extended services
An extended school recognises that it cannot work alone in helping children and young people to achieve their potential, and therefore decides to work in partnership with other agencies that have an interest in outcomes for children and young people, and with the local community. ‘In doing so, consistent with workforce reform and remodelling, it aims to help meet not only the school’s objectives, but also to share in helping to meet the wider needs of children, young people, families and their community.
Extended services are key to addressing poverty and deprivation among children and families, to raising aspirations and realizing the 21st Century school vision. They are being developed by schools, local authorities, Children’s Trusts, children’s centres and other partners and are central to the delivery of the government’s Children’s Plan and are at the heart of Every Child Matters. Families and local communities benefit by being able to access to a wider range of opportunities through extended services. Around two thirds of schools, or clusters of schools, now offer access to the full core offer of extended services.
Find out more about Extended Services by visiting the Department for Children, Schools and Families website.