In recent decades, it has become increasingly apparent that business-as-usual funding and provision of services have had little impact on the levels of relative disadvantage experienced by people and communities across Australia. In response to this, place-based approaches have gained recognition and momentum, shifting attention to the knowledge, strengths, and opportunities that exist at the local level. Through a genuine commitment to working with people in communities, these approaches significantly impact community agency and wellbeing.

Place-based approaches like ours focus on systems change. By working locally to address how services and supports are delivered and accessed, we can have a positive effect – now and into the future – on the flourishing of children and youth as they traverse pathways through early learning and development, into school, and beyond.

However, place-based approaches are not without their challenges. Few quality evaluations have been conducted, and we need to know more about if and why they are effective at changing population outcomes. In addition, place-based approaches rely on coordinated efforts between different stakeholders who may not have a history of working together. Place-based approaches also depend on authentic community engagement with and empowerment of communities that may not feel heard or seen. This is why co-creation and capacity-building are central to the work Pathways in Place is undertaking. Without understanding the resources that already exist, and the experiences of community members and practitioners – including the support and linkages they require to access and deliver services – we cannot affect lasting change.