The Extended Services Evaluation – Reaching Disadvantaged Groups and Individuals: Thematic Review looked at the experiences of running extended services in 15 schools across the north-west and north-east of England.
The review praised schools for using a broad definition of disadvantage, looking beyond poverty to include a range of family situations such as bereavement, disability and mental health issues.
It also praised the way schools tapped into the strong relationships their staff had with families to help ensure those most in need were being targeted.
However, too often this was carried out in an "informal" way, which meant measuring the effectiveness of extended services was difficult.
The report calls for greater support from councils and government to help schools develop clear strategies for targeting and supporting disadvantaged pupils through extended services.
This must ensure that the expertise of school staff is given as high a priority in developing extended services as more standard indicators such as free school meal entitlement.
These strategies also need to clearly spell out the need for partnerships between schools, health and social care to work effectively.
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