Multi Agency Working
Sub-Topic 3
Skills
Below are the skills in this Sub-Topic:
- I am able to describe clearly how different services/agencies/organisations can provide support and advice to service users/patients.
- I am able to effectively signpost service users/patients to relevant information or advice which is appropriate and welcomed.
- I will respect other roles and the value they add to service users/patients.
Advanced Skills
These skills are designed to assist with career, role and personal development. These should be considered once you are confident in the relevant skills above.
- I am able to demonstrate the importance of collective decision making and taking responsibility for actions agreed.
- I will seek out opportunities to work collaboratively to remove barriers and provide opportunities for equal access to services.
Overview
Multi agency working is about providing a seamless response to an individual’s needs.
Health and care organisations are encouraged to provide a multi-agency approach to the delivery of services across a geographical area.
Services may be designed around a person, or in some cases a condition (such as diabetes or child health) but the important element is that it is person centred.
Multi agency working can be as simple as sharing information or involve joint decision making and providing joined up interventions.
Working in a multi agency way can avoid duplication of work, a reduction in repeated referrals from different services, improved team working and improved knowledge.
Some teams may be “co-located” ie working in the same buildings and have joint training and develop and may use the same policies and procedures.
Why is this importantWhy is this important
Community mental health is changing and organisations are joining together across a wide range of services and bringing together their teams.
Through working together this supports service users/patients and their families with additional needs and can help in delivering improved outcomes. In some complex cases, people can “slip through the net” if supportive action or decisions are not taken jointly, which affects the experience and outcome.
Multi-agency working is particularly important when addressing health inequalities and delivering a person-centred approach to service outcomes.
Multi-agency and multi-disciplinary team (MDT) working involves sharing knowledge, skills and best practice from various people within and across those who deliver services.
Skills ReviewSkills Review
Having completed this sub-topic I will understand the importance of these skills.
- I am able to describe clearly how different services/agencies/organisations can provide support and advice to service users/patients.
- I am able to effectively signpost service users/patients to relevant information or advice which is appropriate and welcomed.
- I will respect other roles and the value they add to service users/patients.