Joined-up thinking, joined-up services, exploring coalface challenges for making services work for families with complex needs

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to describe coal-face challenges to making services in the UK work to ensure the mental and physical health, safety and wellbeing of children.

Design/methodology/approach

After briefly referring to some challenges to effective joined-up service provision, it describes examples from the first author's experience of problems, during 30+ years as an NHS clinical child psychologist, and some solutions. It then describes two challenges that underpin many of these problems: lack of understanding of, or training in, evaluating evidence for interventions and a more general lack of knowledge about effective behaviour change principles.

Findings

The paper concludes with recommendations about how to achieve effective joined-up services. Common themes emerging from the research are discussed, including choosing evidence-based programmes, providing adequate training to staff, and increasing people's understanding of behavioural principles.

Originality/value

Having effective joined-up services would mean better services for parents and their children, and would be more cost-effective for the NHS. The ideas presented in this paper could also be applied to other services within the NHS.

Citation

Hutchings, J. and Elen Williams, M. (2014), "Joined-up thinking, joined-up services, exploring coalface challenges for making services work for families with complex needs", Journal of Children's Services, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 31-41. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCS-08-2013-0027