Kent Extended Services

What are extended services?

Extended services are a variety of activities and services available to school age children, young people, families and the wider community, usually in local schools and often provided beyond the school day (i.e. before the school day starts and after 3:15pm). These schools are called Extended Schools.

What are these services and activities?

Childcare: available from at least 8am - 6pm all year round. This may be on the school site or may be provided at a nearby school, local provider or childminder. Included are breakfast clubs, holiday play schemes and after school clubs.

Study support activities: including sports and activity clubs, language classes, homework clubs, arts activities.

Parent support: Parent Support Advisers (PSAs) and Family Liaison Officers (FLOs) are available through schools to support parents and carers with information and guidance on issues that may affect their children and the wider family, including sexual health, relationships and drug abuse especially at times of change and transition (i.e. starting secondary school). Family Learning Sessions where parents can learn alongside their children.

Specialist support For example speech therapy and behaviour support.

Community access: to computing, sports and arts facilities within the school building e.g. adult learning, keep fit, hire of rooms to individuals and groups.

Note: Some of these activities may be provided by existing clubs that are on or near the school site (there may be a small charge for some services and activities).

What's the point of extended services?

We believe that extended services help raise the achievement of children and young people and broaden their life opportunities while building a positive community spirit. Communities can become more involved in the life of their local school and parents are supported to help in their children's education and development.

I have also heard about Healthy Schools and Children's Centres - what's the difference?

• Healthy Schools help children and young people to reach their potential by building on a solid foundation of health to do better in learning and in life.
• Children's Centres are places that provide access to extended services specifically for families with young children aged 0-5 years in their local community.

Are extended services the same in every community?

No - every community is unique and will want and need different services. Although the government wants every school to provide access to a minimum service by 2010, the type of service will vary. All extended schools will ask their pupils, families and communities what services and activities they would like through a process called consultation. By working in partnership with other agencies extended schools will provide their local communities with access to these services either at the school or by using other facilities and resources in the local area.

Your school: what should you expect?

Like every community, every school is different. Individual schools may not be able to provide all of the services and activities on site but they should be able to tell you where you can find them in your local area (this is called 'sign-posting'). However, it can take some time for schools to find out what is available to their community, so please be patient.

The Kent Children's Trust Strategy for Supporting Parents

The Extended Services team have been commissioned by the Kent Childrens Trust to produce, through consultation with parents and partners, the Kent Children's Trust strategy for Supporting Parents. This strategy will be launched throughout October and November.

Do you want to find out more or tell us what you want?

To contact the Kent Extended Services team, please use the contact box on the left of this page. There are also a number of Extended Schools Development Managers (ESDMs) across Kent who work closely with schools and other partners to help develop extended services. Please follow this link to view the contact list.