Integrated Services and the Team Around the Child

In recent years a major challenge has been the ability of a range of practitioners to deliver services in a holistic, integrated or joined-up way. This is a challenge to both policy makers and practitioners. The Every Child Matters (ECM) agenda has introduced the concept of integrated services which is represented by the ONION model, here (source: www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/aims/strategicoverview)

The level of Inter-Agency Governance is fulfilled by Children's Trusts in each local authority area, setting strategic priorities for achieving outcomes for  children and families in the local area.

The Integrated Processes ‘level' of this model consists of a range of Common Processes such as Information sharing and the Common Assessment Framework (CAF). The IQF and the Common Core are intended to support the integration of processes through workforce development.

The level of integration of frontline delivery involves new ways of working for practitioners, in multi-agency teams and with generic skills in the role of Lead Professional. New ways of working are emerging with multi-agency teams (MATs), which are co-located practitioners within one team base and ‘virtual' members linked to the local MAT.

For more about Integrated Services Go to: www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/integrated-working

The MAT (sometimes known as Team Around the Child) and the Integrated Services aim to make sure that services fit the child rather than the other way round. An example of a Team Around the Child model is the Shropshire model shown here

(Source: www.shropshire.gov.uk/childrenfamilies.nsf)

For more information about the Team Around the Child model and how it fits with the CAF Go to: www.blackburn.gov.uk/server.php?show=ConWebDoc.42446

Local authorities have frameworks for the assessment of need to support integrated working. An example is the Windscreen model shown here, also from Shropshire.

Where Next? The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) has a range of initiatives aimed at promoting integrated services. Existing initiatives that will re-shape the way that services are delivered include:

• CWDC Share! has been developed to discover real life integrated working stories which can be accessed by the wider children's workforce. www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/cwdc-share
  
• New Types of Worker programme aims to encourage workforce development initiatives in social care that are firmly located within the user led, integrated provision of services agenda. www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/ntow