Developing services for children that meet individual needs more effectively is one of the key challenges facing our public services. Six years ago, the publication of the New Community Schools prospectus was the start of a programme of pilot projects across Scotland intended to take this agenda forward. This report looks at how well authorities have developed new approaches to delivering children's services through integrated working among education, health, social work and other key partners.
We found sufficient examples of good practice to suggest a platform for further development. In many cases, the initiative has been a catalyst for more effective joint working. We encountered heartening examples of vulnerable young people who had clearly benefited from better teamwork amongst those providing support to them and their families. It is clear, however, that such positive evidence is patchy. We have, for example, yet to see evidence of significant gains in overall levels of attainment in schools. Too often the approach adopted operated in isolation from mainstream activity without the kind of leadership and vision at senior levels that is necessary for success. There remains a considerable way to go to transform how schools and other children's services work together to achieve significantly improved outcomes for all children.
Of course, change on this scale takes time. In many respects the initiatives evaluated in this report are still in their early stages. It is right to take stock at this point, however, if the goal of all schools becoming Integrated Community Schools by 2007 is to be realised. There is a clear need to learn the lessons from the very varied work that has taken place thus far, draw together the various strands in this and related initiatives, and focus more directly on achieving impact for all children.
Graham Donaldson
Her Majesty's Senior Chief Inspector