This chapter considers the spatial location of services and how spatial location difficulties can be amplified when multiagency policies and multidisciplinary teams are established. The chapter starts with a brief introduction to the relationship of space with welfare services, considering the idea that the relationship between physical space and society is important. This assumption rejects the idea that human space is entirely defined by capitalism and social relations, but instead prefers the postmodern thesis that geographical space itself can be one of the defining features of social life. This leads to a more pragmatic consideration of spatial issues. What is needed is an awareness that spatial barriers exist. Examples referred to draw on research completed by the author over the last 15 years. The names of the areas are anonymised to protect the confidentiality of the area and teams involved.

Why is space important?

It is not possible in this chapter to attempt an extensive discussion of the literature about the relationship between space and society, geography and social science, but it is necessary to indicate the sympathy that the argument in this chapter demonstrates for the reawakening of human geography in mainstream social and political science. The reader may be asking why it is important in a book about partnership working to consider spatial considerations? Surely such considerations are secondary to the obvious challenges of integrating professional cultures and organisations so as to find satisfactory solutions to complex social problems? Why consider space as one paramount part of this process?

The reason for considering space is the belief that space is a fundamental component of the construction of modern society, including the organisation and definition of social problems (Sayer, 1992; Sheppard, 1996; Byrne, 1998). This fundamental contribution of space to society can be understood by reference to two key levels.

The first level is physical. The social world is construed of physical space and physical barriers. Considerations of geographical location in relation to a wide range of social and economic variables remain pivotal to the definition of 21st-century society. The location of employment, housing, social services and neighbourhood are major factors in determining the quality of life experienced by citizens.