Health and Social Care in the Community, 13(2), March 2005, pp.155-163.
Publisher:
Wiley
Whilst agencies in many sectors have been encouraged to work together to better meet the needs of service users, multi-agency working is now a central feature of government policy. In relation to children's services, the National Service Framework, the English green paper, 'Every Child Matters' (DfES, 2003) and the Children Bill (DfES 2004) give a high priority to an integrated approach to service provision. This paper focuses on multi-agency working for disabled children with complex health-care needs, a group of children who, perhaps even more than most, require the many professionals who support them and their families, to work more closely together. Drawing on the findings from a 3-year qualitative research study, this paper examines the impact of working in a multi-agency service on professionals. Interviews with 115 professionals concluded that staff were overwhelmingly positive about working as part of a multi-agency service. They reported improvements to their working lives in areas such as professional development, communication, collaboration with colleagues, and relationships with families with disabled children. However, whilst professionals felt that they were able to offer families a more efficient service, there was concern that the overall impact of multi-agency working on disabled children and their families would be limited.
Whilst agencies in many sectors have been encouraged to work together to better meet the needs of service users, multi-agency working is now a central feature of government policy. In relation to children's services, the National Service Framework, the English green paper, 'Every Child Matters' (DfES, 2003) and the Children Bill (DfES 2004) give a high priority to an integrated approach to service provision. This paper focuses on multi-agency working for disabled children with complex health-care needs, a group of children who, perhaps even more than most, require the many professionals who support them and their families, to work more closely together. Drawing on the findings from a 3-year qualitative research study, this paper examines the impact of working in a multi-agency service on professionals. Interviews with 115 professionals concluded that staff were overwhelmingly positive about working as part of a multi-agency service. They reported improvements to their working lives in areas such as professional development, communication, collaboration with colleagues, and relationships with families with disabled children. However, whilst professionals felt that they were able to offer families a more efficient service, there was concern that the overall impact of multi-agency working on disabled children and their families would be limited.
Subject terms:
interagency cooperation, interprofessional relations, law, multidisciplinary services, physical disabilities, policy, social care provision, children, communication;
People with chronic illness and long-term disability need integrated care and support to enable them to live an independent life in the community. The author highlights a programme they are working on.
People with chronic illness and long-term disability need integrated care and support to enable them to live an independent life in the community. The author highlights a programme they are working on.
Subject terms:
independence, integrated services, joint planning, local government, local government policy, long term care, long term conditions, NHS, multidisciplinary services, physical disabilities, policy, social care provision, community care, health care;
GREAT BRITAIN. Department of Health, GREAT BRITAIN. Welsh Office
Publisher:
Stationery Office
Publication year:
1997
Pagination:
39p.
Place of publication:
London
Government White Paper on the future of social services.
Government White Paper on the future of social services.
Subject terms:
home care, learning disabilities, joint planning, local authorities, local government, local government policy, mental health problems, multidisciplinary services, older people, physical disabilities, policy, policy formulation, private sector, purchaser-provider split, residential care, social services, social work, social work education, social care provision, tendering, voluntary organisations, voluntary sector, adults, central government, community care, children, health care, government policy;