1 December 2008 Good Evening

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Joined up assessment, Children’s Sevices Guildford

Summary

A service co-ordinator role has been created to ensure a joined up assessment and delivery model for children with special needs and their families.

Description

The project established the new role of service co-ordinator, to create a new, holistic, integrated approach to services for children with special needs and their families. This approach is underpinned by having regular, multi-agency agency planning and review meetings, linked to a "Family Service Plan". The co-ordinator also has responsibility for "trouble shooting" and "problem solving" across all of the agencies involved, to ensure that thee best possible service is delivered in a timely manner.

Outcomes

• Greater clarity around roles and responsibilities of different agencies. The agencies also develop a greater awareness of each other’s role and responsibilities.
• A much improved service for children and their carers, who are truly placed at the centre of the planning process.
• The service co-ordinator provides a single point of access to the service.
• The "Team around the Child" process has resulted in less duplication of activities and is highly valued by all who are involved.

Themes and Issues

• Difficulties in amalgamating or integrating "paperwork" and assessment process across different agencies.
• The question "Can a truly integrated service for children with complex needs be achieved within current organizational and professional boundaries?" should be asked.
• The developing role of "Lead Professional" should be explored further, along with its implications for competency and training issues.
• The substantial difficulties encountered by professionals moving across from health to social care and vice versa need to be addressed.