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Save What skills and knowledge are required?
The core skills identified for success as a lead professional are:
- strong communication skills including diplomacy and sensitivity to the needs of others
- an ability to establish successful and trusting relationships with children, young people and families, and to communicate without jargon
- an ability to empower children, young people and families to work in partnership with other practitioners and to be able to make informed choices about the support they require and receive
- the capacity to support children, young people or parents/carers in implementing a range of strategies to enable them to achieve their potential
- an ability to establish effective and professional relationships with colleagues from different backgrounds
- an ability to convene meetings and discussions with different practitioners
- an ability to translate their own knowledge and understanding into effective practice
- an ability to work in partnership with other practitioners to deliver effective interventions and support for children, young people and families.
Additionally, the practitioner in the lead professional role should draw on:
- an understanding of other key professionals, and how to contact them for consultation or referral
- knowledge of local and regional services for children and young people, what they offer, and how to contact them
- key advocacy skills appropriate to the child or young person's age, understanding and context.
They will also benefit from sufficient status, authority and credibility to fulfil the role, deriving from:
- their personal characteristics
- acceptance and respect from other practitioners in relation to the role and functions of the lead professional
- clear and transparent systems developed and agreed at strategic level, in relation to line management, accountability, professional support, and escalation routes.
We would not suggest that every practitioner in the lead professional role must possess all the skills listed above; but they or their manager should be able to assess their strengths and areas for development, and know how to call on further support when required.
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Last updated on 30/04/2009
