Partnership working

• Mathematics
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Element 6 - Working with others

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T - level in Education & Early Years 

ZE30801

Session 1 

Learning Objectives 

By the end of the session all learners will be able to:

Recap and recall the importance of working with professionals to ensure children's needs are being met.

Explain the benefits of working collaboratively in partnership with others. 

Explain the different services available to support children and others.

Create a 10 question quiz based on element 5 & 6 with an answer sheet.

Recap & Recall 

With the delivery of some of your other units we have looked at the importance of working in partnership with:

•  Educational psychologist 
• Doctors (GP)
• Health Visitors 
• Social workers 
• SENCO
• Counsellors 
• Speech & Language therapists

Reflecting on the knowledge you have, in your books write 1 reason why you would work in partnership with the following professionals?

Local authority designated officer (LADO)

The role of the LADO (or Designated Officer) is set out in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) (Chapter 2 Paragraph 4) and is governed by the Local Authorities duties under section 11 of the Children Act 2004.

The Officer LADO is responsible for managing allegations against adults who work with children. This involves working with police, children's social care. employers and other involved professionals.

The intent is the LADO is to ensure the child's voice is heard. 

Occupational therapist

Occupational therapists support and provide guidance with care routines tailored to meet the child's needs. They normally work with individuals of all ages, helping them overcome challenges they may be facing.

For example: a child may be struggling with their gross motor skills, they will work with the child and their carer to provide support.

Youth worker

A youth worker will work directly with the child and young person, often aiding decision making and formation of healthy relationships.

They also assess children's individual needs to ensure the receive the best support.

Youth workers often work with children aged 11 - 25 years,

The National health services (NHS)

The NHS was originally set up in 1948 to provide all healthcare that is free when used. Often the NHS is misinterpreted to only doctors and nurses. The NHS actually support and offer numerous amounts of health services  such as: mental health provisions, dentistry, alcohol addiction, maternity services, screening tests, medical services, social workers, health visitors.

As an Early Years Educator you may have a child who is under the medical care of the NHS, this would mean you need to effectively work in partnership with professionals and parents/carers.

This is known as multidisciplinary working: A turn used when multiple people are working together to promote the best interest if the child. For example: You may work with a GP, parents and social services to support a specific child. 

What are 2 benefits of working in partnership?

Quick Research Task

Research 'Child and adolescent mental health services (CAHMS)'.

Write in your books 3 key pieces of information regarding the role of CAHMS.

We will then share and engage in group feedback on the board. 

Child and adolescent mental health services (CAHMS)

Children and young people under the age of 18 who require specialised support specifically with their mental health. 

CAHMS referrals can be made by your GP as it is a National Health Service however you can opt to self refer at some specific services.

CAHMS promote their mental health implementation plan to help support and guide children and young people. Often the intention is to prevent a crisis from occuring.

Children's services

Children's services are provided by the local authorities, this can include education and social services. 

They often consider: 

• When a child may be at risk or vulnerable 
• When a family is caring for a baby or child with a disability, 
• When caring for looked after children. 

Often children's services is a term used for a broad number of people who may work together as a multidisciplinary team to promote welfare and safety. 

Charities and voluntary organisations 

When working with children and young people there are a vast range of non profit organisations available. 

Charitable organisations often rely on some donations to support the word they do. 

Registered charities are mostly voluntary however not all organisations are register such 

(e.g) - community groups.

The NSPCC (2024) have support for parents. 

Click the link below to see what information is available: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/?source=ppc-generic

Take notes in your books 

Family Action:

Provides a vast range of support, specifically practical, emotional and financial support. They have been a volunteering group since 1986 with the intent to support families and change lives.

"We believe family is the key to positive futures, for individuals and communities. We believe there’s no right way to be a family, it’s relationships that matter..." (FamilyAction:2024)

Family rights group:

Aims to support carers, parents and their families/ They offer support, advice and guidance particularly regarding at risk children who are in the care system. 

Family rights group will offer advice to individuals regarding their rights and any potential support they are entitled to. 

They offer articles, blogs and have scheduled support groups. It could be regarding a parent seeking information of their legal rights for example.

Action for Children:

Exists to provide support and guidance to children and their families, the primary focus is to ensure children's voices are heard and their opinion is considered.

Action for children and great for support families during crisis situations such as: danger of eviction from family home. 

Why do you think all of these organisations and charities are beneficial?

Save the children

Is a UK based service for children and young people to access to help keep them healthy and safe.

This charity works with schools and nurseries to promote children's learning and literacy, further helping low - income families. 

This ensures fairer outcomes for all children and young people.

At present they have helps 45 million children with medicine facilities and education.

A whopping 600,000 supporters. 

NSPCC

A charitable organisation that we researched earlier in the session, the intent of safeguarding and protecting children and young people from abuse and maltreatment.

It provides many services, including national helplines, offering advice for children and families.

As a charity they actively raise money to ensure the smooth efficiency of the charity. 

There are further examples of different stories and situations that have occurred to help make parents more vigilant.

Why do practitioners need to have good knowledge of how to sign post parents?

Creating a questionnaire

Create a questionnaire based on your Element 5 & 6 knowledge so far. 

Questionnaire needs to be written on paper. 

You need an answer sheet also. 

Once you have created your questionnaire, they will be collected and then handed out to be completed.

Once you have completed your questionnaire you will give this back to the creator for them to mark.