What is a collaborative partnership?

A collaborative partnership focuses on forming partnerships with key stakeholders who work together (in partnership) to define and achieve common and mutually agreed upon goals.

How do collaborative partnerships benefit students?

Collaborative partnerships promote a student-centred approach to supporting the needs and strengths of diverse learners. They promote an inclusive school culture and community focused on building positive student outcomes and creating a sense of connection within the school environment. These partnerships increase student’s opportunity for positive interactions, a strengths-based focus and maximises their success, participation, engagement and learning in school contexts.

Collaborative partnerships need to be planned for and developed. There are three key aspects to collaborative partnerships (CP)

1. Establishing the collaborative partnerships – who will be involved and what form will this take?
2. Ensuring equity and valuing the collective voice in collaborative partnerships – what mechanisms have been put in place to ensure all voices are heard and everyone has the opportunity to share their views?
3. Sustaining the collaborative partnerships – how will you manage and, maintain the partnership?

What should teachers consider when establishing a CP?

1. The structure and organisation of the partnerships e.g., who should be involved and how?
2. The communication strategies used to establish collaborative partnerships.
3.  How the establishment of collaborative partnerships will support and nurture partner’s equitable views.

Deciding who to include as essential partners

Consider who should be involved and how will they be involved. Parents, educators, students and the multidisciplinary team are important when establishing collaborative partnerships.

The collaborative process will involve discussions around goal setting, decision making, discussions and problem. Consider who the essential members of the team should be including parents and the student. It is important to remember, the collaborative team and the partnership that evolves is built over the medium and long term, and ensures everyone feels heard, respected, and is involved in the process in a way they are comfortable with.

How do you include partners?

Working together can take many forms: it is not always a matter of sitting at the same table at the same time. Be flexible when involving different partners to ensure they can be effectively and equitably involved in the collaboration.

Consult with all partners and ensure they are comfortable with the method and type of consultation.

• Allow them to engage in the process over a period of time (e.g. conduct a first meeting with a portion of the partners and distribute the minutes of this meeting at a later meeting with the rest of the partners). You may also use various media (e.g. at a distance, in person, by filling out documents that will be read and shared at the meeting).

Involve each partner at various levels and in different ways or modes.

• The most effective way to find out how to involve each member is to discuss this with them. Ask them how they would like to be involved and in what capacity – adviser, support. Be aware that some people may just want to be informed. Make sure you also find out about the constraints that affect them, - there may be restrictions around availability due to work or outside commitments, other clients or budgetary constraints.

Be flexible in your approach: a telephone discussion, an e-mail exchange, software that allows for a follow-up of situations, a message in a mailbox, physical or virtual presence at meetings are all possible solutions.

• Once the method and frequency of meetings has been clarified this needs to be communicated. Openness around how you will communicate and how often is important. You may find that you need to develop a communication plan or timeline so people know when to expect updates or when you will be scheduling meetings. 

Make sure your communication plan is:

• equitable
• meets the needs of all partners,
• has clearly established lines of communication
• is flexible.