This document is one of a series of guides to self-evaluation that builds on the advice given in the publications "How good is our school?" and "The Child at the Centre." It also shows how the relevant "National Care Standards" can be applied when evaluating the effectiveness of your establishment as a health promoting school or centre. The Scottish Executive Education Department has made a commitment that schools, working in partnership with local authorities, NHS boards and the wider community, should be health promoting. The support and encouragement of each local authority, NHS Board and local authority partner agencies is crucial in meeting this commitment. It is the responsibility of all these services and agencies to establish the framework within which necessary partnerships can be established and flourish. Each council, in particular, has a key role in gaining the commitment of key partners and in laying the foundations for planning, implementation and evaluation within a number of contexts: councils, schools, communities and, other key agencies. These partnerships must be established at a strategic level with the local health and community health partnerships in particular, so that joint planning and activities at an operational level can be fully effective. This commitment to partnership working also underpins the development of integrated community schools and learning communities, and is integral to the planning and delivery of integrated services for children within individual councils and communities. Many pre-school centres are already introducing effective approaches to improving the health of children and their families. Staff in these centres may wish to take on board those aspects that develop the health promoting aspects of their own establishments. The materials in this document are designed for: (1) staff in schools and pre-school centres; and (2) staff in councils, NHS Scotland and other agencies. (Contains 2 footnotes.)