Signs of Safety Practice Framework

Jannie Goussard

41

Background to Signs of Safety

“How can the worker build partnerships with parents and children in situations of suspected or substantiated child abuse and still deal rigorously with the maltreatment issues?”

Andrew Turnell

Steve Edwards

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We cannot solve our

problems with the

same thinking we used

when we created them

If you can’t explain

it to a six year old,

you don’t understand

it yourself

Albert Einstein

43

Comprehensive &

Balanced

Assessment

Family

experience &

Knowledge

Professional

Experience &

Knowledge

Critical

Worries Success

44

This light globe seems faulty

© Susie Essex. 2008

Graphics by Seren Gill

45

This light globe still seems faulty…

. . . but now we've installed a whole new lighting system!

© Susie Essex. 2008

Graphics by Seren Gill

46

Why Signs of Safety?

• The Signs of Safety Practice Principles are closely aligned with the Council’s own priorities and values

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Respect everyone as individuals worth working with

Cooperate with the person, not the abuse

Recognise that all people have capacities and strengths

Maintain a focus on competency and cast a vision for excellence

Learn what the other person needs and strives for

Don’t interpret actions, ask questions

Treat every engagement as an opportunity for growth

Practice Principles

48

Statutory Guidance

“Services may also focus on improving family functioning and building the family’s own capability to solve problems. This should be done within a structured, evidence-based framework involving regular review to ensure that real progress is being made”

Source: Working Together, July 2018 – Chapter 1

49

Research evidence and studies

• Families feel more empowered and able to understand and address the concerns and requirements of child protection authorities

• The number of children removed from families reduces relative to the number of families with whom authorities work more intensively to build safety around the children

• Practitioners report greater job satisfaction due to the clarity of the approach, the usefulness of the tools and the impact for the children and families.

50

England Innovations Programme

51

52

15%

41%

44%

Staff training profile

None

Basic

Advanced

53

26%

39.50%

37%

50.50%

36%

44%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Average Score

Average score across all 7 aspects of the score card

54