Multi-Agency Working for Children and Young People Workshop

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 They: – – Arrive late some mornings Miss homework Seem tired on Monday mornings Have become increasingly withdrawn from classroom and peer activities – Don’t engage in trips or extra-curricular activity – Have a mother who you see in local shops but who has never attended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/ca f/ • 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 Multi. Agency 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, Df. ES & 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 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