The study by VCS Engage, a government-backed initiative to help get voluntary organisations delivering children's services, found the local nature of extended schools and a lack of clarity on how services are commissioned conspire against greater voluntary sector involvement.
"Given the relatively low level of central prescription (on what form extended schools should take), there is also concern as to how many issues can be influenced by action at a national level, as much of the activity has a local focus," the study states.
In a bid to deal with this problem the study floats the idea of creating a national brokerage website similar to eBay or Slivers of Time to help link schools with voluntary sector service providers. The study also recommended VCS Engage produce a guide advising voluntary organisations on how to get involved with extended schools.
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