Fiducia TogetherMulti-agency working
Education, health and social care working together. Required, and frequently the gap.
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.
What it is
Multi-agency working means the services involved with a child coordinating rather than operating separately — schools, health, social care, and the voluntary sector.
Where it applies
Any child known to more than one service, which is most children with SEND or a safeguarding history.
How it works
It is a statutory expectation in both SEND and safeguarding frameworks, and it is where families most often find themselves as the only person holding the whole picture.
Joint commissioning arrangements between councils and health bodies are required under the Children and Families Act 2014.
What you can ask for
Ask for a single meeting with everyone in it rather than repeating yourself to each service. A team around the family meeting or an annual review can do this.
Ask who is the lead professional. If nobody is, ask for one to be identified — that is usually the whole problem.
Ask for the actions to be minuted with names and dates, and for a review date before you leave.
Where to get help
The school's DSL or SENCO to convene. SENDIASS for free local advice, IPSEA and Contact nationally.
Where to read more
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.