1. FD SUPPORTING TEACHING AND LEARNING YR 2
MULTI AGENCY WORKING
SESSION 1

2. BACKGROUND
Multi agency working has developed over time to aid and help those in difficulties and provide options/strategy for improvement
Historically roots of aid to those (children and families) in difficulty are in the development of poor relief including money and time in the workhouse.

3. HISTORICAL DATES/CONTEXT
1600s -The Overseers of the Poor (JPs) administered the collection of funds from local inhabitants – first voluntary (alms) and then as compulsory rates. Parish based
Those deemed to be able bodied were expected to work for any support received – food, clothing or money.
Those unable to work were put in alms-houses

4. HISTORICAL DATES/CONTEXT
– funding of this system deemed unworkable
Landowners concerned that they were covering the financial burden of looking after the poor
1834 – Poor Law amendment Act (New Poor Law) introduced the Workhouse
Able bodied individuals and families put in workhouse – men and women separated

5. Outcomes Poverty was seen as the fault of the individual
Those in the workhouse were seen as idle
Poor seen as less worthy
Those in the workhouse lost the right to vote until 1918
Conditions in the Workhouses were deliberately kept worse than outside to deter people to go into them and encouraging them to find work

6. Modern developments
1800s – forerunner of social workers - probation workers established to ‘advise assist and befriend’ first time young offenders
1895 – development of medical social workers ‘Almoners’ working on a case load basis.
Development of voluntary groups- Dr Banardo’s and NSPCC
World War 2 – exposed the weaknesses in society – evacuee children and soldiers shown to be undernourished, dirty, poor, uneducated

7. Post war developments Housing shortages, food shortages
After the war government impetus to improve the state of the nation – including development of
Welfare benefits
Health service
Mass education
Housing
1950s development of social work teams in most local authorities

8. Post war developments
The Children’s Act 1948 introduced, in direct response to a tragedy (13 year old killed by his foster parents) – led to each local authority being required to appoint a Children’s Officer and children services department
Government set up the Welfare Department for adults – indicating the state had become significantly involved in social care provision
1970 – The children’s and welfare department were merged into Social Services Departments
introduction of opportunity for local authority tenants to buy their house – reducing the amount of social housing available.

9. Reference Working together for children, Gary Walker, 2008
Working with children, young people and families, Brotherton, Davies and McGillivray (eds), 2010