Working Together for Children: A Critical Introduction to Multi-Agency Working

Review

Readers should find this book increasingly useful for having both policy/frameworks and a full critical evaluation of these in one place.

This is an ideal read for trainee practitioners in childcare, education, social work and healthcare, and for those interested in true partnership working across the multi-professional workforce ... Walker (...) applies his own insight, which is derived from practical and priceless experiences in the field, throughout this book.

This updated edition offers an accessible grounding into the complex array of legislation and policy that surrounds work in children's services. The cross-referencing between policies and the explicit discussion of the conflicts that exist between them is insightful and thought-provoking. The text includes extremely useful content that would support students in gaining an understanding of the complex nature of professional roles and the conflicts that can occur when working across disciplines.

Working Together for Children fills a timely gap in the market for informed and intelligent books about multi-agency work...This book is packed with information and practical advice, and will be a really useful asset for both individuals studying to understand multi-agency teamwork and for professionals/practitioners charged with making it work.
Education Today, 1 February 2009 (of the first edition)

It is his insight, born of practical experience combined with academic rigour, which makes Gary Walker's book a truly informed work and an excellent contribution to the field. Armed with publications such as this, policy makers, as well as the growing body which makes up the multi-professional workforce, will be better informed and prepared to take up their roles, and to do so with reflection and insight.
EYE - Early Years Educator, April 2009 (of the first edition)

This is an excellent book that is easy to read, yet gives in-depth information about multi-agency work. There are a number of case studies which help put the information in context and these are explained in detail at the back of the book. Highly recommended!
Kerry Moakes, Principal Lecturer and Programme Leader, Early Years and Childhood Studies, Faculty of Education, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

Product Description

Working Together for Children provides an account of the systems and processes of multi-agency work with several groups of children and their families. The key philosophy of the book is that such work is inherently complex, and only by understanding and grappling with these complexities can prospective or practising professionals within children's services contribute really effectively to multi-agency working.

This second edition contains updated references to legislation and guidance underpinning multi-agency working, as well as fresh configurations of chapters to reflect new ways of categorising needs of, and organising support for, children in a variety of circumstances. New chapters are included for specific groups of children including coverage of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and youth justice.

Reflection on practice, to help link policy with practice, is a theme running throughout the book, which uses features to assist the reader including:
- information boxes giving further factual details of particular areas related to multi-agency working
- reflective exercises including case studies
- questions designed to stimulate reflection on issues raised
- an appendix providing points to consider and suggestions for the exercises

This introduction is for trainee practitioners in childcare or childhood related courses, education, social work, youth work and health care, or for those already working in such settings who are looking to improve their practice.

About the Author

Gary Walker is Principal Lecturer in Childhood and Early Years at Leeds Beckett University, UK.