Abstract
Integrated care for families with multiple and complex problems requires effective collaboration between professionals from different disciplines. In Amsterdam, social workers from two different organizations work together: the Neighborhood Teams that focus on the issues related to social security and the Parent-Child Teams that focus specifically on youth and family. In this collaboration, the professionals from both organizations work together in pairs. Our research, based on 23 in-depth interviews by both professionals and families, provides insight into the most important elements in working together in pairs that make integrated care successful.
Our research showed that behavior and shared values within the collaboration in pairs formed a crucial aspect for the success of integrated collaboration. The way in which professionals position themselves and collaborate appears to determine the success or failure of their efforts. In addition, the difference in perspectives between the professionals, where one works from and focuses on adult issues, and the other from youth and family, is of great added value. This method contributes to a holistic approach in which the needs of the entire family are better reflected. In this workshop, participants will gain insight into the role of shared values and collaboration in pairs, and learn how these elements can be integrated into their own research or practice.