Partnership working is recognised as the most effective way of improving social care services, and a non-negotiable part of the government's aim is to provide a seamless care service. However, for students undertaking placements or for more experienced professionals moving to a different service area, the question is: what does it mean in practical terms? This book is both an introduction and an in-depth analysis of partnership working across the public sector in the UK. In a comprehensive discussion of partnership working, Anthony Douglas explores: * The history of partnership working, its theoretical base and practical applications * Why partnership working is important * How professionals are already working together * How to develop good partnerships and address common difficulties * How to ensure that partnership working really does result in better practice * The future of partnership working The analysis and examples range across the whole of the public sector with a primary focus on social care. Drawing on up-to-date research evidence and using plenty of practical examples and thinking points, Partnership Working will be of interest to students and researchers at all levels and practitioners and managers of front-line services.