A pilot study to assess the development of a multi-agency and integrated approach to the delivery of services to children and their families
Evidence Based Policy Fund, Department of Health, Department for Children, Schools and Families (previously Dept. for Education and Skills) and the Welsh Assembly Government.
The Integrated Children’s System (ICS) is an integrated recording system designed to improve outcomes for vulnerable children by capturing data necessary for the delivery of services for them and their families.
It aims to provide a structured, coherent and holistic approach to work with children and families across agencies. This research project piloted the ICS and aimed to provide information for further development and refinement of the System.
The study aimed to explore if the ICS:
- supports interagency working;
- facilitates information sharing;
- strengthens social work practice and processes;
- provides the information needed to support planning processes at individual and strategic levels;
- assists the use and development of performance management;
- provides the foundation for achieving better outcomes for children.
Four pilot authorities were involved although data were colleted from only three since one of the sites delayed its implementation of the ICS beyond the timescales of the study.
The first stage of the study was consultation and training on the principles underpinning the Integrated Children’s System (ICS); the second was the collection of baseline data on social work practice and inter-agency cooperation prior to the implementation of the ICS, the third was the collection of the same data after the implementation of the ICS.
- The level of change required by authorities to implement the ICS was significant. It involved a marked change in the way practitioners and managers in children’s social care record, organise and use information about the children and families with whom they work.
- The pilot authorities adopted a planned project management approach to implementation which included a strategic inter-agency steering group, an implementation group from children’s social care, an identified lead person, a written project plan and an issues log.
- The findings suggest that because the ICS means that practitioners have to learn new processes and systems, practice temporarily deteriorated.
- The ICS had a varied impact on social work recording in relation to the quantity and quality of information. For example, recording for children in need of protection has improved with the increased focus on the child.
- However, some aspects still need to improve, such as the assessment of the long term progress of children looked after which remains inconsistent.
- The ICS supported developments for increasing the involvement of children and young people in care planning and reviewing and their attendance at child protection conferences and reviews.
- Practice needs to be routinely monitored. Line managers need to ensure the development and progress of children placed in long term care is regularly assessed and that the information from these assessments is linked to the current robust system for reviewing the needs and care plans for looked after children.
The ICS is a key strand in the Government's agenda for children's services
as set out in 'Every Child Matters' (DfES, 2004) in England and 'Children
and Young People: Rights to Action (Welsh Assembly Government, 2004) and in subsequent legislation, the Children Act 2004.
Development of the ICS supports effective multi-agency working and findings from this study will lead to good outcomes for vulnerable children and young people by providing a comprehensive framework for assessment, planning, intervention and reviewing.
Cleaver, H., Walker, S., Scott, J., Cleaver, D., Rose, W., Ward, H. and Pithouse, A. (2008) 'The Integrated Children’s
System:
Enhancing Social Work and Inter-Agency
Practice.' London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Download order form
Scott, J. and Jones, A. (2008) 'Integrated Children's System: Enhancing social work and inter-agency practice. CCFR evidence issue 15.' Loughborough: Centre for Child and Family Research, Loughborough University.
Scott, J., Walker, S. and Department of Health. (2003) Templates for the Integrated Children’s System. London: Department of Health.
Walker, S., Scott, J. and Cleaver, H. (2003) Implementing the Integrated Children’s System: Training Pack. London: Department of Health.
Professor Harriet Ward and Jane Scott (CCFR) in collaboration with Professor Hedy Cleaver and Steve Walker (Royal Holloway College, University of London); Wendy Rose (Open University); and Professor Andy Pithouse (University of Cardiff).
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