Paper
The National Care Planning Project: a multi-disciplinary approach to care planning and research for children in care
- issue: Issue 1 / 2010
- authors: Agnes Feely, Rosa Lewis, Caroline Roe
- keywords:
- views: 5019
- downloaded: 0
- download pdf (48 Kb)
abstract
Background and introduction
The National Care Planning Project (NCPP) is a 3-year action research initiative, funded by the Department of Health and Children, Republic of Ireland, which focused on the development of a multi-disciplinary, evidence-based case management system for children in care.
It was hypothesised that a single discipline approach to care planning is unlikely to identify the needs of children and their families and the requisite action to address the objectives of the care placement.
Methods
- All children entering care (n=53) and 69 children in care referred by social workers in 2 pilot sites, were offered a multi-disciplinary assessment and short-term interventions where indicated or referral to further specialist treatment.
- Database established to assist individual and strategic planning.
- Initiative incorporated full medical and psychological assessment on an outreach basis.
- Practice instruments and new planning protocols were developed to guide evidence-based, structured assessment and evaluated for national implementation.
- Collection of data on nature of need upon entry to care and following the application of the model.
Key findings
- High numbers of children entered care with previously unidentified, significant health and psychological needs, notably intellectual disability.
- High uptake of assessment services by children and young people and high user satisfaction ratings (98% uptake of medicals).
- Care planning and statutory compliance considerably improved.
- Where recommendations were followed, there were measurable improvements in children's well-being as reported by foster carers and external evaluator.
Conclusion
The adoption of a formal, multi-disciplinary, case-management system is imperative if the safety and welfare of children in care is to be consistently monitored and resultant outcomes improved.
Contact details
Ms. Agnes Feely, Project Manager - CAPS, HSE West, River House, Gort Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, Rep. of Ireland.
Tel: +353 656863924 Fax: +353 656863983
Email: agnes.feely@mailh.hse.ie