Multi-agency working: implications for an early intervention social work team

The adoption of multi-agency working is a key component of the Government’s agenda for the reconfiguration of children’s services. This study examines multi-agency working from the perspective of social workers within an early intervention family support team. Qualitative methods were used, involving individual interviews as well as focus groups with a total of 29 professionals within the early intervention social work team and its partner agencies. Thematic analysis of transcripts showed a number of challenges to multi-agency working, including issues focused on differences in partner agencies’ protocols, as well as issues concerned with professional status and identity. Messages for best practice that emerged stress the need for clear protocols and methods of negotiating and reviewing protocols; opportunities for informal as well as formal communication between workers; and adequate financial support and timetabling of service developments. Benefits of multi-agency working include enhanced inter-agency respect and communication, greater understanding of child protection thresholds among partner agencies, and fast track referrals. Issues that require further investigation include the blurring of professional boundaries for social workers delivering early intervention services in community settings, and the outcomes for children of multi-agency working in early intervention services