Conceptualizing collaboration between children's services and child and adolescent psychiatry: A bottom-up process based on a qualitative needs assessment among the professionals

Little is known about the need of professionals of children's services and child and adolescent psychiatry to collaborate. This study aimed to explore the perception of practitioners of both services with regard to a future collaborative partnership improving the wellbeing of children in children's services. Eight focus groups were performed and analysed, following the principles of the Grounded Theory. The focus groups revealed that the professionals agree considerably concerning the outlines of the collaboration. They agree upon the primary goal of the partnership, their expected role and tasks. In addition, the partnership should develop in an atmosphere of mutual respect and with the intention to provide the best care for the child. The results of the focus groups are discussed in consideration of a future implementation of interventions on developing best practices at the intersection of children's services and child and adolescent psychiatry.