Exploring multi-agency working in services to disabled children with complex healthcare needs and their families

Children with complex healthcare needs typically require technical and/or medical equipment in the home. This growing group of children and families need support that crosses agency and professional boundaries, necessitating effective multi-agency working. There are many examples of multi-agency working around the United Kingdom (UK), some specifically designed to meet the needs of children with complex healthcare needs and their families. Recent legislation and policy statements have highlighted the importance of joint planning and working. Currently no research exists that examines the impact of these initiatives on disabled children with complex healthcare needs and their families. The "Working Together" project is an ongoing research study based at the Norah Fry Research Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. The project aims to explore the impact of multi-agency work on children with complex healthcare needs and their families. This paper examines the literature on barriers to disabled children and the need for multi-agency working. It also considers the concept of multi-agency working and how different approaches to working together might be perceived by children and families.