This publication argues that the point of integrating services for children is to make sure that the lives of children, young people and their families improve as a result.

Accordingly, the most appropriate outcomes are those that are produced through the combined efforts of children, their families and communities and service providers. Organisations should rethink their mainstream and specialist services so that they link more effectively with one another and with children, families and communities. But this will require changes in the way organisations are governed and managed, and this raises many complex practical issues.

The authors readily acknowledge that they, and the people they have worked with on the management of children's services, have found tackling integration a real challenge. The changes that will be required or organisations are still being 'mapped out'.

But this is essentially a practical book designed to help people involved in cross-sector integration of services for children and their families. Many 'try this' exercises and real life examples are scattered throughout: these will help to clarify not only what actions you need to take but what questions you should be asking.

Clive is also the author of a companion book, Integrating health and social care and making it work, also available from OPM.

June 2003, 180mm x 245mm 82pp
ISBN 1 898531 80 3
£18.00 (inc post & packaging)

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