9th December 2024
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) welcomes the positive findings from the recently published Department of Education report, Improving Outcomes and Experiences for Children and Young People: Evaluation of Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) in Primary and Post-Primary Schools. The evaluation, conducted by the Inspectorate between February and May 2024, highlights the contributions of HSCL coordinators and school leadership teams in fostering parental engagement and strengthening school-community links.
In the report, school leaders have been commended for their clear vision and commitment to parental engagement, with 90% articulating well-defined strategies for fostering strong parent-school partnerships ensuring that families felt welcome in and supported by the school.
School leaders were also praised for their robust oversight of the HSCL scheme. Their support included regular strategic planning, ongoing discussions about pupils’ needs, and weekly meetings to review and enhance the programme’s impact, all aimed at strengthening the work of the HSCL coordinator.
The report also noted that 76.7% of schools’ HSCL teachers demonstrated exemplary practice in developing links between the school and community services. These links facilitated a range of supports, such as assisting families with health service applications and providing access to evidence-based programmes and out-of-school supports.
The success of the HSCL scheme is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the HSCL coordinators, who are qualified teachers with a deep understanding of school life and curriculum. The INTO believes that this teaching background is key, ensuring fundamental understanding of the educational context of the school and community and in building trust with pupils and their families. This ability to bridge the gap between home and school continues to be invaluable in supporting pupils’ educational journeys.
The INTO congratulates HSCL coordinators, and school leaders, on their successes as presented in the report. On foot of this, the organisation will continue to demand sustained investment in the HSCL scheme from any new government. It is vital to maintain and build upon the success of HSCL and ensure that every family and pupil who needs support, benefits from the scheme.