BJSW Advance Access published online on April 8, 2009
British Journal of Social Work, doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcp040
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An Exemplary Scheme? An Evaluation of the Integrated Children's System
Ian Shaw is Professor of Social Work at the University of York and editor of the Qualitative Social Work journal. Margaret Bell is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of York, with research interests in children and family social work. Ian Sinclair is professor emeritus at the Social Policy Research Unit at the University of York. He has worked in teaching, social work and industrial and social research. Patricia Sloper is professor and Research Director of the Children and Families Team at the Social Policy Research Unit, University of York. Her main area of research is disabled children and their families. Wendy Mitchell is a research fellow in the Social Policy Research Unit. Her research focuses on the health and social care needs of families with disabled children and young people. Paul Dyson is an independent social worker and social work consultant who combines his practice and managerial interests with research and the teaching of social workers. Jasmine Clayden was a Research Fellow at the Social Work Research and Development Unit at the University of York. She has carried out research on young people in social care, and services for young people who are looked after or at risk of being looked after. Jackie Rafferty is Director of the Centre of Human Service Technology in the School of Social Sciences, University of Southampton.
Correspondence to Ian Shaw, Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK. E-mail: ifs2{at}york.ac.uk
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Abstract |
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We outline selected central results from a formative evaluation of four pilot sites in England and Wales of the Integrated Children's System (ICS) – one part of the UK's e-Government strategy. We concentrate on the aspiration of the ICS towards ‘integration’ and ‘systematization’ of services within children's services, at local and national levels. We look in turn at, the use of the ICS as a foundation for aggregate statistical profiles; the experience and views of the social workers; and the implications of ICS for social work practice as exemplified in social workers' use of time. The evidence suggests substantial problems in accomplishing government policy aspirations in each of these areas. We review the likely reasons for these problems, and recommend a review of the ICS on the grounds that the difficulties are inherent rather than transitory, and have arisen at least in part from uncertainty as to whether the ICS is fit for purpose. The authors seek to promote the open and thoughtful debate that a major innovation of this nature requires.
Keywords: Integrated Children's System, children's services, ICT, policy implementation