Working together to safeguard children: challenges and changes for inter-agency co-ordination in child protection

The publication of Working Together to Safeguard Children (DoH, 1999b) and the new Assessment Framework for Children in Need (DoH, 1999) pose considerable challenges for inter-agency work in the child protection field. This paper explores the core themes and objectives of these two policy frameworks. A number of critical tensions within these policy documents are identified particuarly with regards to the definition of 'children in need' and the quality of inter-agency working outside the child protection system. The paper explores the challenges for the inter-agency community of making the shift to a more needs-led approach. A key theme in managing this change is the inter-relationship of three domains of partnership: partnerships with service users, partnerships between agencies/disciplines, and partnerships within agencies/disciplines. Using an adapted version of Howe's (1992) matrix of partnership, these inter-relationships are examined. It is argued that increasing the levels of co-ordination between agencies will only reap benefits if this is based on intra-agency clarity and commitment to child welfare work. The paper concludes by identifying eight implementation issues for Working Together to Safeguard Children.