Explain the importance of multi agency working and integrated working
As an early years setting I have a responsibility to help the children in my care achieve the 5 outcomes of the UK Governments Every Child Matters (ECM) – Be Healthy, Stay Safe, Enjoy & Achieve, Make a positive contribution and Achieve economic well-being.
Whilst we as practitioners do everything we can to achieve this it is important that we contact and utilise other professionals if needed to help us achieve these outcomes. This is where multi-agency and integrated working comes in. By working together with different sectors, professionals and agencies we can help improve the outcomes for children in their development and learning, which is a requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Analyse how integrated working practices and multi agency working in partnership deliver better outcomes for children and young people
Although I have never personally had to contact multi agency’s for the children in my setting it is very important to deliver better outcomes for children this is done through early identification, intervention and observing/assessment of development stages. Outcomes are also better for the children if practitioners work together for example if a child attends two settings , the child may find this unsettling and make them confused it could be an idea for the two setting to share information but also take in to account the permission from parents / carers and how important confidentiality is.
Describe the functions of external agencies with whom your work setting or service interacts There are many external agencies available to early year’s settings.
I’ve never really had to deal with outside agencies however below are some of the agencies my setting may interact with:
- OFSTED – Inspect provision of care in the setting. They ensure me and any staff are up to date on training, we are providing a healthy and safe environment for children and following the EYFS. Ofsted provide support and advice for staff and the setting itself.
- POLICE– In cases of emergency the police will provide help and support. They will be contacted if a problem arose such as child missing, breaking an entry, suspicious persons and they may also be a point of contact if there is a suspected case of abuse or violence. NHS &
- HEALTH SERVICES– Provides us with up to date information about any illnesses and medical outbreaks such as measles etc. They are there for information, help and support.
- HEALTH CARE PROFFESIONS – Where a child has a developmental need, we often work with a range of health professionals such as speech and language therapists, child psychologist etc. Their function is to provide information and advice using different methods to help the child overcome or improve a difficulty.
Explain common barriers to integrated working and multi agency working and how these can be overcome
Common barriers for integrated working and multi- agency working would be that not everyone will agree on things and different professions may work in different ways and word things differently. People may have been trained in a different role to which they may find it difficult to be managed by a person with different skills. Some people may not be used to sharing their knowledge with others. It’s important that each profession respect one another and that they value there knowledge and expertise by doing this it will make better multi-agencies working together.
