Author: Carter B, Cummings J, Cooper L
Journal: Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2007
Volume/pages: Vol 16, pp527-539

About the study
The study describes an Appreciative Inquiry (an organisational change tool the researchers adapted as a research tool) conducted to explore best practice in multi-agency working with children with complex needs and their families. Using interviews and workshops with a group of parents and professionals a set of ten best practice guidelines were developed highlighting ‘what works well in multi-agency working practice’. Participants in the study included 20 mothers, seven fathers and one child. A wide range of professions were also represented, the largest group being children’s community nurses.

Findings
The paper focuses on two of the 10 ‘best practice statements’ that inform the 10 guidance plans. These were ‘things work well when parents have the opportunity to be linked with other parents in similar circumstances to facilitate mutual support and sharing of experience’ and ‘things work well when parents are given a choice, throughout the child’s life-journey, to have a person who could act as a coordinator of care and who has in-depth knowledge of them and their child’.

Key messages

• Families of children with complex needs see many different professionals, therefore well-coordinated multidisciplinary working helps to significantly streamline and simplify the family’s experience.
• Parents and professionals were involved in the study as co-researchers each with an expert contribution to make.
• Parents need the opportunity to share and receive support from other parents who understand the lived reality of caring for a child with complex needs.