Institute of Education London

Research and analysis on the evidence base for interagency working in children's services, and the scope for development of these approaches through the medium of Children's Services Committees in Ireland

Research Summary
This study aims to provide an evidence base to support the development of multi-agency Children's Services Committees (CSCs). Four CSCs have already been established, and this collaborative work with the Centre for Effective Services will inform the Irish government's plans for a national roll out of these committees and their  approaches to interagency working.

Methods
1. A literature review of international evidence on interagency working in children's services, with a particular focus on common frameworks for assessing need, the Differential Response Model and systems for sharing information between agencies.

2. A critical analysis of the potential for the further development of interagency working in children's services in Ireland through Children's Services Committees. This will draw on telephone interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders in Irish children's services, and will be undertaken in collaboration with CES staff.