Social Work Now, Issue 45, pages 20-25.
There is a rich history of professionals intervening early and working collaboratively to assist families who are struggling to nurture their children. Increasingly, ‘whole of government’ policies and approaches attempt to transcend ‘sectoral silos’ and provide a more integrated, collaborative response to the often multiple needs of families. This article will look at examples of the ways in which services are provided across the sector to support the needs of children and their families. Early intervention opportunities that have a preventive focus will be explored, followed by a discussion of targeted services for families with complex needs. Whilst professionals need to strengthen their collaborative efforts to bring about ‘whole of government’ approaches, worker–family collaborations that sustain effective relationships with parents remain a key component of successful intervention.