Practical Guide to MEYP Planning Developing partnerships with key stakeholders An example of a partnership approach Councils may like to consider the benefits of developing an MEYP using a partnership approach with key stakeholders who, through working together, enhance the outcomes that can be Some councils have initiated a joint planning achieved through the development and implementation of the MEYP. approach to the MEYP development a – partnership group (existing or new) is formed in the This requires good planning and identification of the stakeholders (Refer Appendix 9 - ‘right’ preplanning planning stage to oversee all stages of Stakeholder Analysis). The partnership may be part of an already existing group such as the Best the planning cycle. Powers, roles and responsibilities Start Partnership or an Early Years Advisory Group. It is important that any partnership group are agreed and documented in a governance established has clear terms of reference with a governance structure outlining decision making structure with terms of reference. Councils have responsibilities. reported that this approach enables community Sample MEYP Partnership Group ownership of the MEYP process and shares the responsibility of undertaking strategies and Families and Council children Government actions across all stakeholders. As a result there is a better planning process, a quality MEYP and MEYP Partnership improved chances of enhancing childhood outcomes. Service providers Private sector business Community leaders 32
Practical Guide to MEYP Planning Developing partnerships with key stakeholders Councils may like to consider the benefits of developing an MEYP using a partnership approach with key stakeholders who, through working together, enhance the outcomes that can be achieved through the development and implementation of the MEYP. This requires good planning and identification of the ‘right’ stakeholders (Refer Appendix 9 - Stakeholder Analysis). The partnership may be part of an already existing group such as the Best Start Partnership or an Early Years Advisory Group. It is important that any partnership group established has clear terms of reference with a governance structure outlining decision making responsibilities. Sample MEYP Partnership Group An example of a partnership approach Some councils have initiated a joint planning approach to the MEYP development – a partnership group (existing or new) is formed in the preplanning planning stage to oversee all stages of the planning cycle. Powers, roles and responsibilities are agreed and documented in a governance structure with terms of reference. Councils have reported that this approach enables community ownership of the MEYP process and shares the responsibility of undertaking strategies and Council MEYP Partnership Government Families and children actions across all stakeholders. As a result there is a better planning process, a quality MEYP and improved chances of enhancing childhood outcomes. Service providers Private sector business Community leaders 32
Municipal-early-years-plan-framework.docx