'Floating support': implications for interprofessional working.
This article describes a floating support scheme, provided by a local housing association, which enables single vulnerable people to live independently in their own homes. The study aimed to explore the impact of the scheme from the perspectives of clients, floating support workers and representatives from health, social care and voluntary agencies. It was found that the majority of clients had long-term mental health problems and were supported by a range of professionals. Floating support was flexible in responding to individual needs. A number of themes of relevance to interprofessional working emerged from the data. These included: floating support as a community resource, links with other agencies and confidentiality, information sharing and risk management. Floating support workers worked closely with professionals from health, social care, voluntary and educational services. Although the scheme's contribution to client care was highly valued, a number of barriers to effective interagency working were evident. This study highlighted the need for discussion and presented a forum for developing an ongoing collaborative process to address the specific issues which emerged in focus group discussions.
Sharples
Ann
A
Institute of Health and Community Studies, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK. asharple@bournemouth.ac.uk
Gibson
Sarah
S
Galvin
Kathleen
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011638:Public Housing; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012847:Single Person / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D012947:Social Work / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom