7.7.2 Safeguarding children in primary care: Confronting the challenges of multi-agency working

Jane Appleton, Reader in Primary and Community Care, School of Health and Social Care, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom

Abstract:

Aim/Background:

This study has examined how Primary Care Organisations (PCOs) in England are managing, organising and delivering their safeguarding children responsibilities. In the light of changing organisational configurations across primary care and a wealth of policy directives including the Children Act (2004), Every Child Matters: Change for Children (DfES, 2004) and revised Working Together (HM Government, 2006) guidance, this presentation will explore how PCOs are responding to national policy and delivering multi-agency safeguarding children services.

Method:

Following multi-centre research ethics approval, this national study used a telephone survey method incorporating semi-structured qualitative interviews with Designated Child Protection Nurses across England. A maximum variation sampling strategy identified 2 PCOs within each of the original 28 Strategic Health Authority sites, 3 Care Trusts and 4 pilot sites, to reflect geographical variation, levels of deprivation and different organisational configuration. The Designated Nurse was selected as the key informant in each PCO and interviews took place between December 2005 and May 2006. Designated Nurses take a professional lead on all aspects of the health service contribution to safeguarding children and they take a strategic role in driving forward safeguarding work.

Results:

Data analysis using QSRN6 has been conducted. This paper will highlight models of good practice in multi-agency safeguarding children work. However, while respondents were very committed to collaborative working with other agencies, there continue to be considerable difficulties with collaborative endeavours, including: the practical difficulties of really promoting collaborative working when organisations are resource stretched, do not have shared budgets or compatible IT systems, and the need to address different organisational cultures and limited knowledge of professional roles.

Conclusion:

This paper will contribute a new understanding of the challenges faced by PCOs in delivering safeguarding children services in partnership with other key agencies, including social care, education, police and voluntary agencies.