Multi-agency working in services for disabled children: what impact does it have on professionals?

Abstract

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.

The Collaboration Management and Employee Views of Work and Skills in Services for Children and Families in Finnish Municipalities: The Collaboration Management and Employee Views of Work and Skills

“…Evidence indicates that multiagency working is generally well received by professionals and appears to produce positive impacts in relationships with colleagues, and in relation to professionals' personal and career development and professional practice (Oliver et al, 2010). Multiagency working can lead to greater knowledge and understanding of the roles of colleagues from other professions, as well as of cross-disciplinary issues (Abbott et al, 2005;Anning, 2005;Atkinson et al, 2007;Moran et al, 2007). Multiagency working enhances awareness of the needs of children and families (Atkinson et al, 2007) and the range of services available to children and families across the public and voluntary sectors (Worrall-Davies & Cottrell, 2009).…”

“…It has shown a positive impact on professional identities, as a result of increased accountability and professional confidence, as well as providing opportunities for creativity and autonomy (Abbott et al, 2005;Atkinson et al, 2007, Moran et al, 2007. The acquisition of a wider range of skills in the workplace has also been identified (Worrall-Davies & Cottrell, 2009) and improvements in access to information, information sharing, confidence, communication, and interaction between professionals (Abbott et al, 2005;Atkinson et al, 2007;Moran et al, 2007). Multiagency working is related to professionals' enjoyment in everyday working lives (Abbott et al, 2005) and perceptions of rewarding and stimulating work (Atkinson et al, 2007).…”

“…The acquisition of a wider range of skills in the workplace has also been identified (Worrall-Davies & Cottrell, 2009) and improvements in access to information, information sharing, confidence, communication, and interaction between professionals (Abbott et al, 2005;Atkinson et al, 2007;Moran et al, 2007). Multiagency working is related to professionals' enjoyment in everyday working lives (Abbott et al, 2005) and perceptions of rewarding and stimulating work (Atkinson et al, 2007). Professionals have also reported reduced levels of stress and increased job satisfaction (Atkinson et al, 2007).…”

“…On the other hand, there is partly conflicting evidence on some negative impacts of multiagency working on professionals, which largely centers on increased workloads, uncertainty or confusion regarding professional identities or status, and the questioning of individual roles (Abbott et al, 2005;Atkinson et al, 2007;Oliver et al, 2010). There is also evidence of duplication between different multiagency teams and increased demands and pressure on professionals (Abbott et al, 2005;Atkinson et al, 2007).…”

“…There is also evidence of duplication between different multiagency teams and increased demands and pressure on professionals (Abbott et al, 2005;Atkinson et al, 2007).…”