Inter disciplinary and inter agency

During the past few years professionals have been progressing from a multi-agency to an inter-agency working model. Inter-disciplinary and inter-agency are the terms used when there is greater cooperation between professionals, although they still work in parallel with each other. In these situations, the professionals acknowledge that there is a need for a number of specialists to help the child or family and information is shared with jointly agreed action. Each discipline or profession would, however, still deliver their input in a discreet manner.

Case study

Nearly eight years ago this case study occurred and the meeting that took place, an inter-agency meeting, was the first of its kind in the local area in which the author was working at the time. The benefits of such a meeting were immediately recognized and it became standard practice in the area, particularly where input from Social Services and Education was necessary.

Three pupils from one family were having serious problems at school regarding attendance, hygiene issues, academic progress and emotional, behavioral needs. All efforts to support these pupils were having little effect because of the overriding problems occurring at home. The parents and grandparents were unable to really engage with the school about the children’s problems due to their own overwhelming difficulties. The SENCO and other Senior Management Team (SMT) members feared that at least one of these three pupils might have to be excluded from school because of the daily behavior difficulties. Everyone knew this was not the correct course of action for this pupil, but recognized the school needed support from other agencies. The SENCO contacted the Education Welfare Office, Social Services and the Schools Health Department to ask if a representative from their agency would attend a meeting concerning these pupils. Social Services were already involved with the family and they had a named Social Worker who was very willing to collaborate with the school. After persuasion, all attended and the parents were invited to be there for the last half of the meeting. The pupils were not involved in this first meeting, but were on future occasions when it was felt appropriate. At this meeting all the agencies discussed what their roles could be to help the family. No one agency coordinated the provision, but in this way they all knew what the others were doing and could ask for assistance quickly and directly if it were needed. As a consequence of this action, the pupils and parents were able to receive additional help from the relevant services. It also enabled the pupils to function at school more positively as their other concerns were being supported by the other agencies. Importantly, the pupils were also able to see that the adults around them were working together to care for them and to keep them safe.