Implementation of Multi-agency Safeguarding Arrangements Regarding Exploitation of Young People: Aligning Policy and Practice Using Normalisation Processing Theory

Abstract Multi-agency working has long been advocated for within safeguarding (how we promote an individual’s welfare and keep them safe from harm) and is particularly advantageous when responding to risks of child criminal exploitation. In the United Kingdom (UK), despite a commitment from government policy and a consensus on the ground, there remain substantial challenges in implementing this policy into practice. This paper attempts to explore the relationship between policy and practice, with a focus on how certain factors facilitate effective multi-agency working. The study utilised data from 23 qualitative interviews from professionals and practitioners working with young people across local safeguarding partnerships, from different sectors, within one local authority area based in the UK. It sought to apply a theoretical analysis of how specific mechanisms enable the embedding of new practice. Findings suggest that a number of factors can support effective multi-agency working, including congruence in strategy to operational activity, proactive, passionate, and productive leaders, and effective partnerships, underpinned by a culture of inclusion and challenge. Normalisation Processing Theory highlighted these factors related to the process of cognitive participation, an essential component in initiating and enacting partnership working and embedding a multi-agency approach. These findings can be considered when seeking to implement existing and future multi-agency policy to safeguard young people, to ensure that the realities of the nuances involved in implementation are considered. Whilst there is a wealth of research surrounding multi-agency working, there is less specifically on embedding multi-agency working into practice and the theory underpinning this.