The built environment plays an important role in the Our Place approach to improving outcomes for children, families and communities. Single, shared entrances in Our Place sites are a key feature of the approach and a deliberate attempt to change the way schools are used by communities, and the way services and supports are offered to vulnerable families. The expansion of the Our Place approach from one site to ten has brought about many barriers to implementing the ideal entrance concept. This is due to the diverse nature of the communities and the differences in the level of influence over building design and construction. In the absence of a formal evaluation of the single, shared entrance concept, this paper will explore emerging themes around scaling up the Our Place outcomes focused, place-based initiative utilising schools as a universal platform.

Keywords:  Place-based; outcomes focused; scaling up; schools as hubs; community approach.