From "silo" to "network" profession: a multi-professional future for social work

Author:
FROST Nick
Journal article citation:
Journal of Children's Services, 12(2/3), 2017, pp.174-183.
Publisher:
Emerald

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to argue that the future of social work can be situated as part of a fundamental shift towards co-located, multi-disciplinary practice and networking. It is argued that social work has a key role to play in co-located, multi-disciplinary child welfare practice, and indeed can be a leading profession in this context. Situating social work in this way involves re-conceptualising social work as a network profession, rather than a silo profession. The paper builds on an earlier study of five multi-professional, co-located teams updated with interviews with social workers currently situated in such co-located teams. An exploration of the role of social work in relation to child sexual exploitation is provided. Design/methodology/approach: The first study was an ESRC-funded study and used a multi-method approach to understanding the work of five multi-disciplinary, co-located teams working with children, young people and families (Frost and Robinson, 2016). The focus of the study was on professional identity and working practices with other related professionals. Findings: Professionals felt that such working enhanced their learning, their skill base and the process of information sharing. Challenges included structural and organisational issues and differences in ideological and explanatory frameworks. The follow up study of six social workers found that they gained satisfaction from being situated in such co-located, multi-disciplinary teams, but also faced some identified challenges. (Edited publisher abstract)

Subject terms:
multidisciplinary teams, child sexual exploitation, interprofessional relations, childrens social care, social work;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
United Kingdom
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN print:
1746-6660

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