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Record no: |
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Title: |
Championing the interface between mental health and child protection: evaluation of a service initiative to improve joint working in Northern Ireland. |
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Reference: |
Child Abuse Review, 21(3), May-June 2012, pp.157-172. |
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ISSN paper: |
0952-9136 |
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ISSN online: |
1099-0852 |
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Abstract: |
There is a need to establish effective inter-agency working between adult mental health services and child care services in order to better support families where parents have mental health problems. This article reports on an evaluation of an initiative in Northern Ireland that aimed to facilitate joint working. The Champions Initiative involved identifying a Champion in each multidisciplinary community mental health team and in each family and child care team that would have responsibility for providing information, promoting joint working, and identifying any obstacles to better cooperation. Questionnaires were completed by 24 Champions (12 in mental health and 12 in child care) and their team members at baseline and 6 months later. The baseline questionnaires assessed levels of experience, training, confidence, understanding and awareness. The follow-up questionnaires were designed to obtain the participants’ qualitative views of the impact of the initiative. The results at baseline indicated that difficulties in this area of practice relate to communication, confidentiality, differing priorities, continuity, and confidence. Follow-up findings suggested that the Champions Initiative is having a positive impact on interface working. The main reason appears to be the clear identification of someone at the front-line to take responsibility for identifying and addressing any difficulties with interface working. Recommendations are provided for further service development. |
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Format: |
article; |
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Topics: |
adult social care; child protection; evaluation; family support; interagency cooperation; mental health services; |
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Record ID: |
www.scie-socialcareonline.org.uk/profile.asp?guid=9338d6a0-f945-404f-83a8-d439f5747c6f |
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