Key workers' crucial role in the lives of disabled children
Posted on 11 August 2005
A key worker is both a source of support for disabled children and young people and their families and a link by which other services are accessed and used effectively. Now a new study led by the University's Social Policy Research Unit (SPRU) has found that key workers provide a valuable service for families and have positive impacts on their lives.
However outcomes for families varied, though they were better where there was more focussed management of the service, closer definition and understanding of the role, and wider provision of regular training and supervision.
Researchers recommended that the role of a key worker should include providing information to families about services and the child's condition, co-ordinating care planning and addressing the needs of all family members, improving access to services, providing emotional support when needed and speaking on behalf of the family when dealing with services.
This research provides the first evidence on the characteristics of key worker services that provide the best outcomes for families
Professor Tricia Sloper
The research also suggested that parents should be represented on multi-agency steering groups overseeing key worker services and that service managers should be appointed to supervise key workers, organise training, publicise the service and organise joint care planning.
Professor Tricia Sloper, who led the research, said, "Up to now there has been no research on the outcomes for families of different types of services. This research provides the first evidence on the characteristics of key worker services that provide the best outcomes for families. It also has important implications for the management of these services."
Katy Barton, Network Manager for Care Co-ordination Network UK (CCNUK), said: "This research supports the principles in the CCNUK Key Worker Standards that were published in 2004. We hope that these latest findings will contribute to the development of more high quality key worker services throughout the UK. For key worker services to meet the needs of disabled children and their families, it is crucial that these services are set up with adequate strategic and operational resources, planning and support."
Notes to editors:
- Care Co-ordination Network UK (CCNUK) is an umbrella organisation which promotes and supports care co-ordination or key working for disabled children and their families in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. More information on CCNUK and the key worker standards call Katy Barton on 01904 321988, email katy.barton@ccnuk.org.uk or visit: www.ccnuk.org.uk
- The Social Policy Research Unit has an international reputation for excellence in research in social policy, principally health and social care, poverty, social security and employment. www.york.ac.uk/spru.
- The research was funded by the Treasury Evidence Based Policy Fund, the Department for Education and Skills, the Department of Health and the Welsh Assembly Government.
- Questionnaires were sent out to 225 children with disabilities teams across the UK; 205 parents and 30 children also completed questionnaires. SPRU researchers carried out nearly 180 interviews with key workers, service managers, school staff, parents and children.
- Greco, V., Sloper, P., Webb, R. and Beecham, J.(2005) An Exploration of Different Models of Multi-agency Partnerships in Key Worker Services for Disabled Children: Effectiveness and Costs. DfES Research Report 656. Nottingham: DfES Publications.
- Greco, V., Sloper, P., Webb, R. and Beecham, J. (2005) An Exploration of Different Models of Multi-agency Partnerships in Key Worker Services for Disabled Children: Effectiveness and Costs. DfES Research Brief No.RB656. Nottingham: DfES Publications.