An extended services cluster co-ordinator supports their group of schools in providing access to a range of services and activities, often beyond the school day, to help meet the needs of children, their families and the wider community.
Each community has different needs and therefore the role of co-ordinator does not have one model. However in order to develop access to the core offer of services a varied menu of activities is available including: study support, quality childcare, parenting support, swift and easy access to a wide range of specialist support services and community access.
Each co-ordinator will:
- help achieve a shared vision for Every Child Matters
- help provide access to services across a range of school sites and local venues
- share information
- help create a positive environment for multi-agency working and engagement with parent.
Co-ordinators promote consultation and engagement strategies for children, young people and their families in order to establish what kind of activities and services the community are interested in developing.
The local authority provides a seried of workshops for each cluster using the Training & Development Agency (TDA) change tools, supporting a collaborative approach to access to the core offer areas. The co-ordinator is trained to support this process in the cluster.
School clusters wishing to quality assure their extended services work will be able to work towards the Quality in Extended Services (QES) quality award. Again, the cluster co-ordinator has the skills and knowledge to support this process.
Co-ordinators link with other clusters in the county in a supportive network. They are able to facilitate many diverse groups and engage people in the extended services. Their knowledge of complimentary agendas and local roles and responsibilities gives them key roles in our developing services for children, young people and families in Nottinghamshire.
