Concerns over loss of specialism
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Professionals are worried about losing their specialism due to joint working in children's services, a study has found.
The first report of the Local Authority Research Consortium found workers at all levels were concerned about how their jobs would change with integrated working.
It is looking at the impact of integrated children's services on outcomes for children and young people.
The study also found practitioners find it difficult to think about outcomes and focus more on processes and structures.
The ongoing study involves 14 local authorities, the Local Government Association, the Improvement and Development Agency, Research in Practice and the National Foundation for Educational Research.
Celia Atherton, director of Research in Practice, said: "Across all different disciplines there's anxiety about losing specialism. There's a stage where there's an uncertainty about where boundaries should be."
The study's final report is due to be published in March 2008.
