Brokering School-Community Partnerships: Cross-Sector Advocacy and Hard Work

Abstract

AbstractCollaboration within government and across sectors can be challenging due to differing priorities, disciplinary perspectives and funding cycles. This complexity can be a barrier when it comes to enabling schools to respond to local contexts and developing strong community partnerships. This chapter shares insights from one Australian state government pilot program that aimed to broker cross-sector relationships to benefit the health, wellbeing and educational outcomes of school children and the broader community. Established in 2014, the Community Hubs and Partnerships (CHaPs) pilot program was initiated by the Queensland Government to work with all levels of government, non-government organisations and the private sector to plan accessible and cost-effective social infrastructure to connect communities and support coordinated delivery of community services. Based on the practical experience obtained over seven years, this chapter discusses strategies for brokering partnerships, along with the types of impact and outcomes that can be achieved through collaborative approaches to planning social infrastructure. To illustrate the approaches and strategies that support the establishment of schools as community hubs, it profiles two related projects: Yarrabilba Family and Community Place, and the Buzz at Yarrabilba.