Transcript Multi-Agency Working for Children and Young People

Multi-Agency
Working for
Children and
Young People
Workshop for Student
Teachers
Aim
The aim of the workshop is to
provide a stimulus for student
teachers to engage with the concept
of multi-agency working in the UK
and to consider the application of
that engagement in their role as
teachers of children and young
people.
2
Indicative Outcomes
By the end of the workshop you should be able
to:
– Identify the range and function of appropriate agencies
and professions that work with children and young
people;
– Describe some benefits and tensions of child and young
person focussed multi-agency working;
– Consider ways of integrating their own role as teacher
with a wide range of other professionals and describe
the impact of multi-agency working upon their own
professional development;
– Situate current practice development within the national
policy context.
3
Opening Activity
• You are becoming increasingly aware of
issues relating to a child in your class.
They:
–
–
–
–
Arrive late some mornings
Miss homework
Seem tired on Monday mornings
Have become increasingly withdrawn from
classroom and peer activities
– Don’t engage in trips or extra-curricular activity
– Have a mother who you see in local shops but
who has never attended school events or parent’s
evenings
4
Discussion
• In pairs or groups, discuss:
– What are your impressions / views of
this situation?
– What might you do about this situation?
• Write down your main thoughts /
discussion points
5
The Hunts
• If this was the situation
with your pupil..
– What are your impressions
now?
– What might you do
differently?
• Discuss your thoughts in
groups
7
Help for the Hunts?
• What agencies or professionals do
you think might be involved in or
able to help this family?
• What are their roles?
• Which family members do you think
they are working for?
• How do you think that the teacher /
school links with these agencies?
8
The Hunt Family
One possible
network of professionals
Occupational Therapist
(Health)
Specialist
Support
Groups ?
Other medical
specialists
9
Area Social
Services Manager
GP
The Hunt
Family
Home Care
Physiotherapist
Under 8’s
Officer
Educational
Psychologist
Social Worker
Family Placement Team
What is Multi-Agency Work?
“a range of different services which
have some overlapping or shared
interests and objectives, brought
together to work collaboratively
towards some common purposes”
(Wigfall & Moss, 2001, p.71)
10
Benefits of
Multi-Agency Work
• It co-ordinates the work of those involved e.g. when
conducting multi-agency assessments of children and
young people. For more information on this see
http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/deliveringservices/caf
/
• It can lead to a sharing of resources
• It can lead to joint funding of projects
• It should lead to better outcomes for children and
young people as holistic needs are addressed
11
Barriers to
Good Multi-Agency Work
• Different core functions, cultures and
practices between agencies
• Lack of clarity in lines of authority and
decision-making
• Historical or current jealousies or rivalries
between agencies
• Different and conflicting social policy or
legislation
• Lack of clarity about why agencies are
involved
• Poor communication
12
Tensions in
Multi-Agency Work
• How should an individual deal with…
– Individuals from other agencies having or
using power or status
– Structural issues in another agency e.g. staff
shortages, delays in responding to concerns
– Another agency not delivering on promises
– Another agency doing something you believe is
wrong or against the child or young person’s
interests
– Unreasonable demands from another agency
– Another agency using different legislation to
justify their actions, or inaction
13
Principles of Good MultiAgency Work
• If the following are in place, effective multi-agency
work should follow:
– Clearly agreed and defined functions
– Tasks with agreed boundaries
– Well organised and established communication
– Well developed local relationships
– Overcoming of ignorance and prejudice about
each other’s work
– Defining of common goals
– Using common language
– Respecting different skills
– Ensuring all know what the local arrangements
are
14
Further Reading
Joughin, C & Law, C. (2005), Evidence to Inform the
National Service Framework for Children, Young People and
Maternity Services. London, DfES & DH.
Murphy, M. (2004), Developing collaborative relationships
in interagency child protection work. Lyme Regis, Russell
House.
Roaf, C. (2002), Coordinating Services for Included
Children: Joined up Action. Buckingham, OUP.
Wigfall, V & Moss, P. (2001), More than the sum of its
parts? A study of a multi-agency child care network.
London, National Children's Bureau.
15
National Policies
• Every Child Matters, England
• Getting it Right for Every Child /
Children’s Services Bill, Scotland
• Rights to Action, Wales
• Our Children and Young People: Our
Pledge / The Super Six, Northern
Ireland
16
The 4 Visions
ENGLAND
NORTHERN IRELAND
WALES
SCOTLAND
Being healthy
Being healthy
The best possible
health, free from
abuse, victimisation
and exploitation
Being healthy
Staying safe
Living in safety and
with stability
A safe home and
community
Being safe
Enjoying and
achieving
Enjoying, learning and
achieving
A flying start in life
Achieving
Making a positive
contribution
Contributing positively
to community and
society
Play, leisure, sporting
and cultural activities
Being respected and
responsible
Achieve economic
well-being
Experiencing
economic and
environmental wellbeing
Children and young
people not
disadvantaged by
poverty
Being nurtured
Living in a society
which represents their
rights
A comprehensive
range of education,
training and learning
opportunities
Being active
Treated with respect
and have their race
and cultural identity
recognised
Being included
17
Troublesome Issues
• Tension between targeted and universal
support
• The rights and needs of the “ordinary
majority”
• Finite resources and making difficult
choices
• School role and teacher capacity
• Tension between pastoral care and
achievement targets
• Uncertainties, risks and professional
dilemmas
18
Personal Reflection and
Planning
• Key learning points for you about
multi-agency working
• What is the likely impact of multiagency working on your future work
as a teacher?
• How could you contribute to multiagency working in the future…
– Within school?
– With other agencies or professionals?
19