Partnership working is when different services and professionals work together with other teams of people to meet the needs of children, young people and their families. It brings together professionals to contribute their own specialist knowledge and skills. This way holistic approach to childcare is achieved as featured in Every Child Matters Framework. Below are some benefits of effective partnership:
 Gives children and young people the best possible start by early identification of needs.
 Ensures that everyone working together communicates about the child.
 Support children, young people and their families with additional needs.
 Prevent problems occurring in the first place by early intervention before harm is done.
 Helps secure improved outcomes by getting the necessary information to assess and deliver support.
 Opportunities for shared learning. Each professional will learn from each other’s skills and knowledge shared.

Looking back at Baby P’s case, if only the professionals involved worked together and had treated the case with urgency and thoroughness, abuse was stopped in the first injury and prevented his death. According to reports, his death was also down to the incompetence of almost every member of staff who came into contact with him. Peter's GP should have raised concerns when he found bruises on the child's head and chest after apparently falling down stairs. Social workers did not think that Peter was being harmed or was at risk. It was also found out that the mother had also childhood experience of serious physical and emotional abuse that may have possible impact on her own parenting.

• Possible partners in the setting
As practitioners, we will be working with other professionals such as:
 Family doctor or general practitioner is in-charge of health issues of children, young people and their families. Keeps records of