Learning goals

This chapter will enable you to:

1. Understand current policy directions that are supporting more holistic approaches to working with vulnerable families who have multiple and complex needs

2. Identify the practitioner, organisational and policy related factors which shape practitioner roles

3. Consider the potential for broadening practitioner roles so that they are more holistic and family centred

4. Understand the importance of working across professional and organisational boundaries and the factors that influence this

5. Be able to accept and effectively manage the conflict that can occur in working across professional and organisational boundaries.

Introduction

With the growing realisation that many varied and complex problems, from global warming to crime, infectious diseases and child abuse and neglect, cannot be solved by one service sector or ‘silo’, there is increasing momentum for ‘joined up’ approaches to tackle such issues. In relation to socially marginalised people, overarching ‘social inclusion’ policy frameworks in some countries are focusing attention on how sectors such as health, education, housing, employment and social services can work together more effectively.

This has two main implications for practitioners working with families with multiple and complex needs. One, greater emphasis is being placed on redefining practitioner roles and models of practice so they are more comprehensive. The first part of this chapter therefore explores how practitioner and organisational roles might evolve to respond more holistically to families with multiple and complex needs.