The development and implementation of a Provider Collaborative (PC) represent an ambitious and complex piece of work to be delivered across a limited geographical area for vulnerable children and young people (CYP). The current study aimed to explore the views of social workers about such partnership working and, as one of the aims of the PC is to ensure the appropriate duration of inpatient stay, it has specifically explored factors that contribute to delays in transition process from inpatient care to community. It has also explored areas that would improve the transition process of CYP who are struggling with mental health difficulties.
Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews from five community social workers (CSWs) and from three inpatient social workers (ISWs) via an MS Teams call interview. In addition, two CSWs completed an anonymous paper survey, which also provided qualitative data. All MS Teams interviews were transcribed verbatim, and the combined data were then thematically analysed.
Three overarching themes were identified: collaborative working, the importance of understanding and the pressure on social care. The results showed that while positive experiences were confirmed in terms of working collaboratively, important issues that impact on the transition process have been also highlighted. This study demonstrated the importance of communication between the inpatient and community social worker teams to optimise the discharge of CYP from an inpatient setting either into the community or back home and also highlighted the lack of training within social care sector and lack of resources that places the burden on this sector.
This study has limitations due to its small sample size, particularly in inpatient social care. More research is needed from the multidisciplinary team, including social care, to better understand the factors behind discharge delays. Improving strategies for collaboration, such as clearer communication protocols, early involvement of social care professionals and training on roles and responsibilities, can help prevent delays. Increasing resources and introducing liaison roles between healthcare and social care teams could further optimise the process. The need to address the pressure on social care sector, including better staffing and support, to ensure timely transitions was emphasised. Overall, improving collaboration, communication and resources might reduce delays in transition process for CYP.
This is the first study, to author’s knowledge, exploring partnership working within the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services provider collaborative by focusing on discharge delays from the social workers’ perspective.
