National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011 - 2016

Chapter 7Interagency CooperationIntroduction7.1 The importance of effective interagency collaboration has been identified as a keymechanism in meeting the housing needs of people with disabilities, and one which mustclearly be prioritised in order to make optimum use of available resources and secure thebest possible outcomes. Successful interagency cooperation can reduce gaps in serviceprovision and duplication of responses. It puts the individual at the centre of the processand uses the available resources and skills of all agencies to address the needs of the clientin the best manner possible. It improves strategic planning and delivery of key services.Successful interagency cooperation may also lead to savings and, as a mechanism, does notrequire additional funding resources.7.2 Research commissioned to inform this strategy 42 recognises that the manner in whichservices are currently delivered in Ireland, via a combination of agencies, can lead tofragmented service delivery, often resulting in duplication of service provision. Whereformal arrangements are not explicitly provided for, successful interagency working can belargely dependent on goodwill, strong leadership and effective working relationships at alocal level. In Ireland, the general picture which emerges is that interagency collaborationprimarily focuses on networking and information exchange.Framework of Interagency Cooperation7.3 In order to be successful, a framework of interagency collaboration must besupported at all levels, i.e. strategically through the development of national policies whichidentify common goals and establish the frameworks within which services are delivered,and at local or operational level where it should be employed to provide appropriate, flexibleand person centred services. This would include the following:At a strategic level:• Development and formal underpinning, at all levels, of a joint working ethos withinagencies and organisations delivering services to people with disabilities, through, forexample, the implementation of appropriate protocols;• Structured agreement on common goals and objectives to meet the needs of peoplewith disabilities, including through strategic planning and clarification and appropriateallocation of responsibilities between relevant agencies, for example, in relation tothe provision of housing and relevant supports (including funding by relevantagencies);42Review of Good Practice Models in the provision of Housing and Related Supports for People with a Disability,Housing & Sustainable Communities Agency, 201072