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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 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 and help create a positive environment for multi-agency working and engagement with parents. 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 series of workshops for each cluster using the Training and 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 their cluster.
School clusters wishing to quality assure their extended service 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 and have recently provided and participated in a number of ‘Showcase’ events. They are able to facilitate many diverse groups and engage people in the extended services. Their knowledge of complementary agendas and local roles and responsibilities gives them key roles in our developing services for children, young people and families in Nottinghamshire.
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