Mandated ‘Joined-Up’ Working: A Pandora’. Box for Welfarist Organisations?

Abstract

Just over a decade ago Hudson (1987) noted that inter-agency working was ‘in vogue’. Today is it a central feature of the work of all professionals, whatever sector they occupy. Indeed, recent government policy documents seem to promote closer ties between health and care agencies and those from the criminal justice system. However, despite joint working being part of the day-to-day activities of most professions it still presents a host of difficulties, often revolving around the standard operating procedures of sometimes-disparate organisations. In some instances, negotiation and compromise between and across agencies overcome difficulties. However, recent legislation, which mandates joint working between different sectors, aided by government departmental guidelines, seeks to ensure that welfare providers alter some long-standing approaches to working arrangements. This paper argues that health and care professionals should adopt a cautious approach to these moves and need to become more proactive in policy formation in order to establish boundaries and maintain their distinct professional identity.