Getting to know you? Issues of trust and mistrust in understanding community, developing partnerships and delivering policy change in children’s services

Abstract

This case study examined a joint assessment and allocation panel set up to inform local implementation of the UK Government’s policy of integrating children’s services, particularly the introduction of a Common Assessment Framework and the lead practitioner role. It brought together agencies serving one community. Professionals and parents agreed on the need for earlier and better coordinated intervention. However, this attempt to develop a model for inter‐agency working faltered due to very low take‐up. Other area‐based initiatives competed for resources and referrals. Practitioners were reluctant to refer because of the extra work involved, and parents distrusted agencies’ motives. Nevertheless, the panel experience helped promote greater understanding between participating professionals of each other’s roles and responsibilities, which other research has found important in early partnership development. It also refocused attention on strengthening informal networks within very local communities. Theoretically, this shift can be understood as developing ‘bonding’ rather than ‘bridging’ capital.

Keywords:

• CAF
• children’s centres
• community
• family support
• partnership
• prevention