Integrated Children’s System : enhancing social work and inter-agency practice : a summary of the main findings of the implementation of the Integrated Children’s Systems in Children’s Services

The Integrated Children’s System (ICS) was designed to ensure that assessment, planning and decision making led to good outcomes for children in need and their families. It is part of the UK Government’s major reform programme for children’s services in England and Wales. The ICS builds on earlier developments such as Looking After Children and the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families, as well as addressing current policy concerns. The research aimed to explore the extent to which the Integrated Children’s System provides the foundation for achieving better outcomes for children. This paper details the methodology and general findings of the research study.