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Social workers as members of community mental health teams for older people: what is the added value?
- Authors:
- ABENDSTERN Michele, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 46(1), 2016, pp.63-80.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Social workers have worked with older people with mental ill health in multidisciplinary teams for many years. Research regarding their contribution is nevertheless sparse. This article addresses this gap. Qualitative data from semi-structured staff interviews were drawn from a multiple case study of community mental health teams (CMHTs) for older people, some with and others without social worker members. Interviews included questions about team roles and the impact of the presence or absence of social workers on team functioning. A grounded theory approach was adopted to analyse the data, enabling issues of importance to interviewees to emerge. Non-social work CMHT staff were found to place a high value on social worker team membership due to their specific skills, knowledge and values, and with regard to communication pathways. Social workers and other team members' views were found to differ regarding whether social workers within CMHTs should operate as generalists or specialists. The findings suggest the need for formal structures extending beyond the co-location of multidisciplinary staff; appropriate and sufficient supervision for social work team members; and the development of more workable and direct referral systems between CMHTs and social services adult social work teams. (Publisher abstract)
Care coordination for adults and older people: the role and contribution of the non-statutory sector
- Authors:
- ABENDSTERN Michele, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Integrated Care, 24(5/6), 2016, pp.271-281.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide new insights into the contribution and experiences of non-statutory sector (voluntary) services delivering care coordination. Design/methodology/approach: This qualitative study, based on face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 17 managers from a range of non-statutory sector services, used thematic data analysis supported by a framework approach. Findings: Four themes emerged: commissioning arrangements undermined non-statutory sector development; working relationships between statutory and non-statutory services required time and energy to navigate and sustain; the establishment of a niche role in the larger network of provision; and tensions relating to future developments. The non-statutory sector was found to provide a mix of services, including specialist provision targeting specific communities that complemented or substituted for those provided by the state. Managers wanted their services to be recognised by the statutory sector as equal partners in the delivery of care coordination and were also keen to retain their independence. Practical implications: Findings provide information for service commissioners and managers from statutory and non-statutory sectors indicating a complex set of experiences and views regarding the role of the latter. This is particularly salient in a political landscape which has increasing expectations of their involvement in the provision of care coordination. Originality/value: This study considers the work of the non-statutory sector in the delivery of care coordination to adults and older people, an area under-reported to date. It suggests that there are opportunities available for these services to become embedded within a wider social care system and to excel by retaining or developing specialist roles and services. (Publisher abstract)