Partnership working in children’s services is vital – particularly when all public services are expected to do “more with less”. The benefits include greater access to a range of resources and knowledge, sharing of workload and costs, and more flexible service provision. However, partnerships can fail, experience ups and downs, and require continual work to get the very best from them.
Work has been done to understand why partnerships are more likely to succeed or fail but this knowledge only makes a difference when it is incorporated into leadership practice.
1. Partnerships are a social process. Before partnerships can deliver their anticipated outcomes, connection needs to be built. Partners need to get to know each other and as they do, trust emerges. This process takes time and involves all sorts of emotions and, at times, stresses. Through connection learning begins with partners gaining access to the knowledge and experience of others. Action can then be taken, and the partnership can really start to achieve its goals and deliver the kinds of joined-up service provision that improves the lives of children, young people and families.
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