The first strand from a Scottish government-commissioned study exploring whether children’s services should be included within a National Care Service has found a lack of evidence supporting their integration.

The researchers from the Centre for Excellence for Children’s Care and Protection (CELCIS) say a shortage of international case studies of large-scale systems integration means it cannot draw any firm conclusions or recommendations at this stage.

The study also found a ‘complex’ relationship between integration and outcomes, with a lack of long-term studies reflecting tensions in funding cycles and policy implementation.

Experience suggests positive change sought from integration of services can take years to come to fruition, a process which the researchers say needs to be backed with stable and consistent policy support and funding.

Strong relationships between professionals and people who need support from services, and a shared culture with committed leadership at all levels, were also found to be key to successful integration of services.

Dr Heather Ottaway, research lead and Head of Evidence and Innovation at CELCIS, said their first report shows the importance of trusting relationships throughout services:

“What is clear from this review of the literature available is that what matters for children, young and families needing support is the relationships they have with the people who work in the services to support them, and that professionals also need time and capacity to build effective relationships between them.”

The current landscape for delivering Children’s Services in Scotland is complex and varies by region.

In some parts of Scotland, community children’s health and children’s social care and social work are the responsibility of Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs), whilst some partnerships have no responsibility for any children’s services, and others have responsibility for children’s health but not social work.

Adult services are set to move into the National Care Service (NCS) by 2026 and the government, in its initial proposals, suggested children’s services be included too.

Most individuals (75%) and organisations (78%) that responded to the consultation agreed these services should be included, to create a more joined up approach.

Those who disagreed raised concerns around the close working between children’s services, health and education and a desire to not introduce too much complexity.

The Promise and the Care Inspectorate both highlighted the need for more evidence to make sure any decision on the future of children’s services is most likely to keep The Promise by 2030 – for every care experienced child and young person to be safe, loved and respected.

In response, the Scottish government asked CELCIS to undertake research to better understand service delivery models and their effectiveness in supporting the needs of children and their families before any final decision over their inclusion is made.

An Independent Steering Group, chaired by Professor Brigid Daniel, will oversee the scope of the research.

Professor Daniel – who is a Professor Emerita at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh –  said the decision about the future of children’s services has to be informed by the best possible evidence:

“The publication of this review marks the first stage of research and there is still some way to go in this comprehensive study.

“Further reports will be published in due course culminating in a final report that will bring all the evidence together to explore how best to ensure that children, young people and families get the help they need when they need it.”

The rapid literature review published by CELCIS is the first of four reports, which will be followed with a full final report with analysis being sent to Scottish Ministers in October.

CELCIS has now published its second report.

Examples of major children's services reform in Finland, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the Republic of Ireland are highlighted. These show the need for transformational leadership and strong foundations to support successful implementation, say the researchers.

However, Professor Daniel said there is no simple 'off the shelf' strucutre Scotland can adopt:

“This second report complements the first by offering in-depth analysis of different approaches to transformational change. As both reports show, there is no one simple ‘off the shelf’ structure that can be lifted from elsewhere and applied in Scotland, rather there are many helpful pointers that can help with shaping Scotland’s children’s services for the future.”

The Children’s Services Reform Research programme will also map integration and outcomes across Scotland and speak directly with the children services’ workforce in Scotland.

 

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