New reports assess practice and leadership in Scotland’s Integrated Children’s Services

Social Work Scotland has published new reports on how Scotland’s Integrated Children’s Services might improve outcomes for children, young people and their families.

Using research carried out by Children in Scotland and CELCIS, the reports aim to inform and stimulate debate about health and social care integration, and public-sector reorganisation more widely.

The research, which consisted of a policy and literature review, qualitative interviews with practitioners and local and national case studies, assesses common structural challenges, the benefits of new integration structures, and relationships between practitioners, practice leaders and local political leaders.

Both reports provide an update on the findings of an extensive study, published in 2014-15, which looked at the potential impact of the Public Services (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014, the legislation through which health and social care integration has been established in Scotland.

Children in Scotland’s Jackie Brock, co-author of the report said:

“I am delighted to be building on important work to assess integrated children’s services in Scotland. We are fortunate in Scotland to have achieved a shared vision that integrated children’s services should be defined, assessed and evaluated from the perspective and experience of children and families.

“Our proposals for assessing progress highlight what we have found to be the critical factors required for strengthening leadership, strategic planning and accountability arrangements for integrated children’s services, and we hope that they will inform constructive debate and action.”

Download the reports here:

Integrating Health and Social Care in Scotland: The Impact on Children’s Services Part 1: Literature and policy review

Integrated Children’s Services in Scotland: Practice and Leadership, An assessment of progress and improvement