FAMILY SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP BUREAU

Research around the world shows that where parents and families are engaged in their childrens education and work in complementary ways with their school and community, young peoples capacity to achieve their learning potential is significantly enhanced - and so is their general health, well-being, positive outlook and sense of purpose in life. Such partnerships build social capital and actively promote social inclusion.

Over the past decade, ACSSO and APC have worked collaboratively and in partnership with the Australian Government and the Department of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations to progress a range of action research projects and pilot programs which not only underline the benefits for families, schools and communities of developing sustainable partnerships, but also provide an informed understanding of how to go about establishing and sustaining such positive partnerships in practice.

In February 2008, Hon Julia Gillard MP, Minister for Education, Employment, Workplace Relations and Social Inclusion announced that the Australian Government would commission ACSSO and APC to establish and operate a National Family-School & Community Partnerships Bureau - initially for a period of four years - working with school communities across the country to assist them in establishing closer relations and achieving the proven benefits of working in partnership.

The Family-School & Community Partnerships Bureau was launched on 11 August 2008. read more

Click here to download the Family-School Partnerships Framework - A guide for schools and families