Book review: Anning, A., Cottrell, D., Frost, N., Green, J. and Robinson, M. Developing Multi-professional Teamwork for Integrated Children's Services: Research, Policy and Practice. Maidenhead: Open University Press. (2006) 127 pp. Pbk. £19.99 ISBN: 0335219780. Hbk. £55 ISBN: 0335219799

Abstract

Developing Multi-professional Teamwork for Integrated Children's Services was published two years ago, based on a research project completed in 2004. Its publication was eagerly awaited by practitioners and academics grappling with the challenges of multi-professional working because it offered particular insight into two topical concerns. First, what was happening to professional identities of practitioners in the new roles and new contexts characterizing the first half of the decade? Second, how was the emergence of Children's Centres and their multi-agency teams impacting on long-standing roles of those working with children? In this review we ask, after two more years of change, in 2008, is this text wearing well?This book still offers a useful overview of multi-professional issues and theory to those working in the field of children's services. It uses research from a project (2002)(2003)(2004) to depict multi-professional teamwork in the UK and goes on to make broad conclusions linked to the national agenda. It contains the following nine chapters: (1) Working in a multi-professional world; (2) Researching multi-professional teams; (3) Organising and managing multiprofessional teams; (4) Multi-professional perspectives on childhood; (5) Changing roles and responsibilities in multi-professional teams; (6) Sharing knowledge in the multi-professional workplace; (7) Making multi-professional teamwork effective: dilemmas and decisions; (8) Making multi-professional teamwork effective: service delivery; and (9) Taking multi-professional practice forward.The book's framework of issues and linked theories allows the reader to explore the complexities of implementing recent government reforms in building multidisciplinary or multi-professional teams. It balances the rhetoric of multi-professional teamwork with examples of real work dilemmas in delivering joined-up children's services, for instance; how to organise and manage