“It’s our polite nudge in the ribs to help you and your team stay organised and on task.”
This week’s subject is Community Engagement
Element 6.2.3: Community Engagement
The service builds relationships and engages with its community.
Have you and your team recently reflected on the practices implemented to maintain consistent and meaningful connections with your local community?
Consider how your Service can engage in new ways to connect with the local community by implementing some of the following:
- connecting with and visiting local businesses
- build on or establish relationships with local schools; arrange transition to school visits
- develop a travel training program for year 6 students transitioning to High School (School Age Care)
- foster your Service’s relationship with local aged care facilities by implementing several initiatives to strengthen the connection (pen pal system, framing and gifting children’s artworks, organizing a talent show to perform during a visit etc.)
- frequent visits to the local library
- create a community engagement newsletter to share your Service’s community involvement with families and relevant stakeholders and request feedback/ suggestions
- create a community garden or arrange visits to your local community garden
- create a “Pantry for the People” to be set up at a location within your local community and encourage donations from families. Take children on regular visits to the Pantry to restock and maintain
- organise a raffle to raise funds for stock for “Pantry for the People” or to donate to local community organisations in need. Request donations from local businesses such as items to make up hampers, vouchers from local hairdressers/beauty salons, dance lessons or other extracurricular activities, car maintenance services (mechanic, auto electrics, car wash/detailing) etc. Sell raffle tickets within your Service and the local community.
- connect with your local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) to seek advice and support around the development of an age-appropriate Acknowledgement of Country for your service
- create a “Community Information” board at your Service and continually update with local events, opportunities and relevant news and information
- support your local businesses by advertising their business/products/services in your Newsletter or Community Information board
- Implement the “Eight Ways of learning” into the pedagogy of your Service
- develop a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
Resources:
Beginner Tips for Connecting with Community
Transition to school reciprocal visits
Promoting Collaborative Partnerships between School Age Care Services and Schools
Build Relationships with Community
Develop a Reconciliation Action Plan
What is the best modern evidence to guide building a community
Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country
Within System7 go to Quality Area 6/ Module 25 to submit self-assessment notes and if required, open a QIP issue if you identify any areas of improvement.
Resources, NQS Element, Regulation and System7 links:
National Quality Standard – QA 6/ 6.2.3- Community Engagement
National Regulations – 73
System7 Module – QA6 / Module 25
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