1. Integrated working in frontline children's services Nick Frost, Professor of Social Work (children, childhood and families) Leeds Metropolitan University n.frost@leedsmet.ac.uk

2. Sources of the presentation Research in Practice (2005) – Professionalism, partnership and joined-up thinking, www.rip.org.uk Social workers in multi-disciplinary teams – CFSW 2005, vol10, pp187-196 Joining-up childrens services – CAR, vol16, 2007, pp184-199 Being a social worker in an integrated world Care Knowledge – Special report www.careknowledge.comwww.careknowledge.com Anning et al Developing multi-disciplinary teamwork for integrated childrens services (Open University, 2006) 2 nd edition (2010) With Nigel Parton Understanding Childrens Social Care, Sage, 2009

3. Literature reviews Supporting theory building in integrated services research, Mark Robinson, Mary Atkinson, Dick Downing, NFER2008 Multi-agency working and its implications for practice: A review of the Literature, CfBT, Education Trust Mary Atkinson, Megan Jones, Emily Lamont, July 2007

4. Key themes from research(1) (1)Complexity and ambiguity (Wenger, Anning et al.) (2)Professional identity (Wenger, Frost) (3)Power, status and difference (Robinson et al., Anning et al.) (4) Leadership (Anning et al, Childrens Plan)

5. Key themes from research (2) (5)Information sharing and communication (Atkinson et al.) (6)Outcomes: the ultimate challenge (Audit Commission, Glisson and Hemelgarn) (7)Structural and organisational issues (Anning et al., Glisson and Hemelgarn) (8) The Team Around the Child (Siraj-Blathford)

6. The New Labour onion model

7. The Coalition approach Re-branding of DCFS – Department for Education Childrens Trusts and Childrens Plans not obligatory Health and education reform

8. From mainstream to oppositional Integrated working has shifted from being mainstream to oppositional Underpinned by a different view of the State New Labour (more optimistic about the State) vs Coalition (more pessimistic about the State)

9. The challenges in the real world Moving towards integrated working to with children is: complex demanding difficult fluid and ever-changing politically and publicly high profile …..and requires effective leadership

10. Moving forward – structural issues Core and peripheral staff Line management / supervision Co-location Workload / deployment Joint planning

11. Moving forward – ideas and values Dominant models Professional cultures Celebrating diversity – soup or salad? New forms of knowledge

12. Moving forward – policies and procedures Common policies and procedures Confronting disagreements Coping with change

13. Moving forward – inter-professional issues Skills and expertise Identity and status Pay, conditions, and career progression Personal challenge – the smell of practice

14. Summary Reflecting on developing practice in a complex situation Focus on frontline – supporting, developing, giving space for reflection Moving on from implementation to consolidation A focus on the child – the team around the child High profile and challenging