Origins and Progress: Our Community Authority approach has its origins in 1998 with the launch of the Scottish Executive's Integrated Community School initiative (formerly New Community Schools) which was a radical strategy to promote social inclusion, raise educational standards and support schools to play a full role in delivering integrated children's services. The cluster model for delivering integrated services, and the progress made over the first 5 years, are described in
Integrated Community School Initiative in West Dunbartonshire 1999 -2004. For illustrations of how the approach is translated into action, why not view the weblets for
Determined to Succeed,
Skills for Work,
Health Promoting School Unit,
individual schools,
Community Learning and Development and a host of others.
National Evaluations: The Scottish Executive publication
Insight 7: Key Findings from the National Evaluation of the New Community Schools Pilot Programme in Scotland summarises the main achievements from the Phase 1 pilots, lessons learned and issues to be addressed. In 2003 and early 2004, a multi-disciplinary team, led by HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE), including the Social Work Services Inspectorate (SWSI), Health Improvement Strategy Division (SEHD) and members of HMIE evaluated the progress of eight cluster projects in different local authority areas in Scotland. The findings are in
The Sum of Its Parts?: The Development of Integrated Community Schools in Scotland.
The Journey Ahead: Ambitious Excellent Schools: Our Agenda for Action, was published by the Scottish Executive in 2004 and is the Scottish Executive's agenda for the most comprehensive modernisation programme in Scottish schools for a generation.
Improving Outcomes for Children and Young People: the role of schools in delivering integrated children's services was published in 2006. The pamphlet outlines the valuable learning from the new community school initiative, links to associated developments and key issues which will be addressed in inspections of integrated working which commence in 2008.
