Multi-agency working with children and families : a focus on facilitators and using activity theory principles to explore this topic area

Abstract

This systematic review of literature explores the factors that facilitate professionals in working together to support vulnerable children and their families. Consideration is also given to factors which pose a barrier to effective multi-agency working. The review focuses on bringing together qualitative and quantitative data from a range of studies exploring a variety of established multiagency teams and community-wide projects in the UK and USA; a total of eight studies were included for in-depth review. Studies included for review investigated issues relating to professional working practice, and measured outcomes for children and families and outcomes for professionals. Findings identified 12 themes considered to be facilitators to multi-agency working. The review concluded that the majority of research in this area focused on services delivered to very young children (below the age of three) and on good practice when establishing a multi-agency team; therefore, it would be beneficial for future research to focus on other age groups and on established teams to determine effective ways of joined-up working.