collaborative practice collaborative practice framework working collaboratively with children, young...

Collaborative Practice

Framework Working collaboratively with children,

young people and families

Prepared for the City of Port Phillip Family, Youth and Children Department

by the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare

March 2016

1 Collaborative Practice Framework City of Port Phillip 2016

Collaborative Practice Framework

Table of Contents

About this Framework ......................................................................................................................... 2

Overview ............................................................................................................................................ 4

Key elements of collaborative practice ................................................................................................. 6

What does effective collaboration involve? ...................................................................................... 6

Building and supporting collaborative practice ............................................................................... 11

Identifying need and purpose................................................................................................................ 11

Planning for collaboration ..................................................................................................................... 12

Establishing relationships and commitment to the partnership ........................................................... 13

Strengthening collaborative practice ............................................................................................. 14

Building an organisational culture supportive of collaboration ............................................................ 14

Strengthening cultural awareness and knowledge ............................................................................... 15

Adapting the partnership/collaboration as circumstances change ....................................................... 15

Reviewing collaborative practice ................................................................................................... 16

Reviewing need and commitment ......................................................................................................... 16

A commitment to continuous improvement ......................................................................................... 17

Regular monitoring ................................................................................................................................ 17

Evaluation .............................................................................................................................................. 18

Collaborative Practice Framework Toolkit .......................................................................................... 20

Practice Tool 1: Mapping child, youth and family services in the City of Port Phillip ......................... 21

Practice Tool 2: Assessing the nature of existing partnerships ......................................................... 22

Practice Tool 3: Determining roles and responsibilities ................................................................... 23

Practice Tool 4: Terms of Reference Guide ..................................................................................... 24

Practice Tool 5: Measuring outcomes ............................................................................................. 25

Practice Tool 6: Reflective practice ................................................................................................ 28

Practice Tool 7: Further resources .................................................................................................. 30

2 Collaborative Practice Framework City of Port Phillip 2016

About this Framework

A shared approach to improving outcomes for children, youth and families

The purpose of the Collaborative Practice Framework (the Framework) is to support the City of Port Phillip

(the Council) to improve outcomes for children, youth and families through more collaborative ways of

working. This document provides a conceptual framework and practical guidance to improve collaborative

practice. It should be read in conjunction with the Council’s Collaborative Practice Policy.

The Framework is based on a review of the literature and input from internal and external stakeholders. It

was developed after the Council identified opportunities to improve service provision for children, youth

and families.

The Framework intends to guide Council management and staff in their interactions with partner service

providers. Although it has been developed for the Family Youth and Children Department in the Council,

the Framework has broader application and relevance across all Council Departments. It is also relevant to

external stakeholders delivering child, youth and family services who can benefit from increased

opportunities to interact collaboratively with each other and with Council to provide streamlined,

accessible, targeted and well-resourced services.

Figure 1 shows the cyclical nature of collaborative practice in child, youth and family services. The cycle

involves identification of client needs and the most appropriate way of responding to these needs. In

some cases the response will involve the Council or organisations working autonomously. A more

integrated approach is required for clients with multiple and complex needs. For service delivery to be

effective the needs of clients, objectives, outcomes and partnerships need to be continually assessed and

refined.

Figure 1: A cycle of continuous improvement in collaborative practice

Identify the needs of the child, young person or family

Identify how best to meet these needs - working alone or

together

If working together, decide the most

appropriate type of collaboration and how it

will work in practice

Once established, continually monitor

and evaluate whether objectives

are being met

Implement changes to improve

collaboration and service outcomes

3 Collaborative Practice Framework City of Port Phillip 2016

Figure 2 provides the structure for the collaborative model. It is adapted from A Toolkit for Working with

Families1 to reflect an approach suitable for the City of Port Phillip.

The Framework includes the components depicted below. The Implementation component is contained in

a separate but related document.

Figure 2: Conceptual representation of the Collaborative Practice Framework

1 A Toolkit for Working with Families was developed as part of the Engaging Families in the Early Childhood Development

Story, which is a Standing Council on School Education and Early Childhood Development project. The project supports the reform priority under the National Early Childhood Development Strategy, Investing in the Early Years, to assist parents and the community in understanding the importance of early childhood.

Enablers

Overview:

Meaning, types, rationale, benefits and challenges of collaborative practice

Strong leadership

Shared purpose &

goals

Clear communica

tion

Agreed processes & systems

Staff capability

Evidence base

Implementation

Planning, executing, monitoring

Tools and Resources

Checklists, reflective questions and templates

Reviewing collaborative practice

- Reviewing need and commitment

- Commitment to continual improvement and regular monitoring

- Evaluation

Building and supporting collaborative practice

- Identifying need and purpose

- Planning for collaboration

- Establishing relationships and commitment

Strengthening collaborative practice

- Building a supportive organisational culture

- Strengthening cultural awareness and knowledge

- Adapting the partnership/ collaboration

4 Collaborative Practice Framework City of Port Phillip 2016

Overview

Meaning of collaborative practice

Collaborative practice involves individuals and organisations working together to address problems and

deliver outcomes that are not easily achieved by working alone. It can take different forms, ranging from

loose, informal connections through to fully integrated services. The nature of the collaboration will

depend on the issue or gap it is intended to address.

Common terms used to describe collaboration include partnerships, ‘joined-up’ services, multi-disciplinary

centres, inter-agency working and inter-professional working.

Working collaboratively can be challenging and requires effort. Relationships are built on trust and this

takes time to develop. The Framework is intended to assist the Council and its various partners in the

practice of working collaboratively.

Types of collaboration

Not all interactions will require formal and regular contact, and full integration is not r