CYP Now - Analysis: Joined-up working - Police should be more involved

The police can make big contributions to a joined-up children's service but many forces are not playing an active role in their local service partnerships. However, those that are involved show how important it is that they're included. Ruth Smith reports.

The police's work with young people covers much more than tackling anti-social behaviour. As experts were keen to point out to the education and skills select committee, which is assessing progress towards implementing Every Child Matters, police expertise on truancy, domestic violence and tracking missing children is a vital part of collaborative working (Children Now, 5-11 January).

Braintree in Essex is one area where the police play an integral part in a joined-up children's service. In one case, for example, more than 80 calls and visits had been made by a wide variety of professionals to a particular family. When the police and other organisations got together to pool information they were able to develop a common understanding and resolve problems stemming from domestic violence and drug and alcohol abuse.

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