Working in partnership

This chapter emphasizes the importance of partnership working as a core value in people work. It critiques the historical failure of professionals and managers to collaborate effectively, particularly in high-stakes contexts such as child protection and mental health. The chapter advocates for interdisciplinary cooperation and the co-production of care, where service users are respected as partners and experts in their own lives. This redefines traditional power dynamics and calls for professionals to relinquish exclusive authority in favour of genuine shared decision making. Highlighting models like the ‘exchange model’, the chapter shows how partnership working enhances outcomes by building holistic, inclusive responses. Ultimately, it asserts that authentic partnership is not just a practice method but a value stance that honours the dignity, rights and strengths of all involved.