Unlocking Key Working An Analysis and Evaluation of Key Worker Services for Families With Disabled Children - Community Care Into Practice Series

Parents, researchers, practitioners and policy makers alike have consistently identified the need for parents with a disabled child to have a single named person whom they can approach about any problem, who offers assistance in accessing and coordinating services. Such a person is often referred to as a key worker. But how can this be accomplished?  This report is based on a project in which multi-agency key worker services were planned, developed and implemented in two local areas. Managers and practitioners in these areas worked in partnership with the research team to observe, monitor and evaluate this process. Unlocking key working provides a unique insight into how, and how not, to go about establishing multi-agency key worker services. It will be a valuable resource for professionals wishing to develop the provision of such services in their area, offering practical guidance on what needs to be addressed when planning and developing the service. This report is a companion volume to Real change not rhetoric (The Policy Press, 1999), which describes the innovative approach taken in this project to getting research findings implemented in practice.