Multi-agency working in local children's service partnerships: so much promise but such varied results

At a time when Multi Agency Working (MAW) is being suggested by Central Government guidance as a preferred way of working for Children’s Services, standards of MAW provision are being reported as variable in quality.

This research is undertaken with the aim of contributing to the understanding of MAW and improvement of working practice. This study seeks first hand views and perceptions of the broad provision, outcomes and developments within a cross section of Multi agency working (MAW) provision for Children’s Services. The research involves typical users and providers of a region’s service provision.

This research is centred on qualitative data from a cross section of respondents involving children, parents, agency professionals, school users and providers. Data is drawn from observations of meetings and interaction and extensive interviews. Using a structured agenda, interviews are delivered to those both providing and receiving support. MAW is found to be varied in both its quality and provision. Variety is found to be due to:
a) the failure of strategic management to provide recognised and understood oversight, support, guidance and control
b) an absence of a clearly agreed body of MAW research based knowledge
c) inadequate monitoring and evaluation, and
d) a consequent lack of data and training programmes

This research confirms the strengths of MAW, for example, in terms of the clarity of inter professional interaction and understanding and the clear importance of this to child protection, and suggests protocols to assist future development.