An Exemplary Scheme? An Evaluation of the Integrated Children's System

TLDR

The authors emphasize the need for open, thoughtful debate surrounding the Integrated Children’s System as a major innovation. The study aims to outline key findings from a formative evaluation of four pilot sites of the Integrated Children’s System in England and Wales. The evaluation examines the system’s goals of integration and systematization, its use for aggregate statistical profiling, social workers’ experiences, and its impact on time allocation in practice. The evaluation finds substantial problems in meeting policy goals and recommends a review of the Integrated Children’s System, citing inherent difficulties and uncertainty about its suitability.

Abstract

We outline selected central results from a formative evaluation of four pilot sites in England and Wales of the Integrated Children’s System (ICS) – one part of the UK’s eGovernment strategy. We concentrate on the aspiration of the ICS towards ‘integration’ and ‘systematization’ of services within children’s services, at local and national levels. We look in turn at, the use of the ICS as a foundation for aggregate statistical profiles; the experience and views of the social workers; and the implications of ICS for social work practice as exemplified in social workers’ use of time. The evidence suggests substantial problems in accomplishing government policy aspirations in each of these areas. We review the likely reasons for these problems, and recommend a review of the ICS on the grounds that the difficulties are inherent rather than transitory, and have arisen at least in part from uncertainty as to whether the ICS is fit for purpose. The authors seek to promote the open and thoughtful debate that a major innovation of this nature requires.