Sloper, P, Greco, V, Beecham, J et al. (1 more author) (2006) Key worker services for disabled children: what characteristics of services lead to better outcomes for children and families? Child: Care, Health & Development. pp. 147-157. ISSN 1365-2214
Abstract
Background: Research has shown that families of disabled children who have a key worker benefit from this service and recent policy initiatives emphasize the importance of such services. However, research is lacking on which characteristics of key worker schemes for disabled children are related to better outcomes for families. Methods: A postal questionnaire was completed by 189 parents with disabled children who were receiving a service in seven key worker schemes in England and Wales. Path analysis was used to investigate associations between characteristics of the services and outcomes for families (satisfaction with the service, impact of key worker on quality of life, parent unmet need, child unmet need). Results: The four path models showed that key workers carrying out more aspects of the key worker role, appropriate amounts of contact with key workers, regular training, supervision and peer support for key workers, and having a dedicated service manager and a clear job description for key workers were associated with better outcomes for families. Characteristics of services had only a small impact on child unmet need, suggesting that other aspects of services were affecting child unmet need. Conclusions: Implications for policy and practice are discussed, including the need for regular training, supervision and peer support for key workers and negotiated time and resources for them to carry out the role. These influence the extent to which key workers carry out all aspects of the key worker's role and their amount of contact with families, which in turn impact on outcomes.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2006 The Authors. This is an author produced version of an article published in "Child: Care, Health & Development", Blackwell Publishing Ltd. This paper has been peer-reviewed but does not include the final publisher proof-corrections or journal pagination. |
Keywords: | care co-ordination,key workers,child disability,inter-agency working,outcomes,CARE |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Research Groups (York) > Social Policy Research Unit (York) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH UNSPECIFIED |
Depositing User: | Repository Officer |
Date Deposited: | 02 Feb 2006 |
Last Modified: | 16 Oct 2024 11:49 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2214.2006.00592.x |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2006.00592.x |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:973 |