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Session on the work of CELCIS’s Permanence and Care Team (PaCT) whose role is to support local authorities in improving permanence process and practice for looked after children. Contributed by: CELCIS
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A researcher on tap rather than on top: From practice to
research, policy and outcomes
Andressa M. Gadda, PhDPaCT Research AssociateEmail: [email protected]
Carol WassellPaCT ConsultantEmail: [email protected] www.celcis.org
www.celcis.org
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CELCIS
CELCIS is the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in
Scotland.
Together with partners, we are working to improve the lives of all looked after children in Scotland.
www.celcis.org
Four Routes to Permanence
• Return/remain at home with or after support (this includes settled informal kinship arrangements)
• Permanence through a permanence order, where long term corporate parenting is needed. This can be in formal kinship care, foster care or residential care
• A relevant Section 11 Order – this is intended to be a Kinship Care Order from 2015
• Adoption
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The Permanence and Care Team (PaCT)
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We focus on….
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The Research Topic
The appointment of Safeguarders by the Children’s Hearing
‘Safeguarders are persons who may be appointed by children’s hearings or sheriffs when they
think this is required to safeguard the interests of the child in the proceedings. Their role is to provide support and advice for the proceedings.’
(Hill et al. 2000: iii)
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A researcher on tap rather than on top
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The Hypothesis
Safeguarders are being appointed by Children’s Hearing more frequently
in this than in other LAs due to Panel Members lack of confidence
in Social Workers’ assessments and reports. This in turn further undermines Social Workers’
confidence.
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Research Questions
– How often are Safeguarders appointed by the Children’s Hearing in this LA? How does this compare with other LAs?
– What factors influence Children’s Hearing’s decision to appoint a Safeguarder?
– Whether and how do reports produced by Safeguarders differ from those produced by Social Workers?
– What impact does the appointment of Safeguarders have on decision-making – particularly with regards permanence?
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Ethical Issues
Confidentiality
Anonymity
Informed
consentMetho
do-logical Issues
What informat
ion to gather?
How to gather
information?
How to analyse data?
Time and resources
Search literature
Analysis and writing up of
data
Gather evidence
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Developing the research
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CELCIS
SCRA
CHSMalcolm
Hill
Scottish Ssafeguarders Association
Children 1st
Scottish Government
Information on the number of safeguarders
appointed
PI of most recent research on
appointment of Safeguarders
Provides support/advocacy to Safeguarders.
Membership is voluntary.
Management of the National Safeguarders Panel (since June 2013)
Policy
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Engaging partners in co-production
PROS• Greater buy in from partner• Improved viability of research • Greater accessibility to data and
research participants• Broader focus and scope• Highlights research gaps
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Engaging partners in co-production
CONCERNS• Managing different needs and
expectations. • Managing contentious issues.• Time consuming.• Loss of interest and buy-in from
original partner.• Availability of ‘researchers on tap’
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Practice-based research
Practitioners identify issues requiring further exploration
Practitioners develop hypothesis and/or research questions
Practitioners and researchers work together to develop and carry out the research
Research findings address research-users needs – direct impact on practice and/or policy
BUT…
How to overcome/address barriers?How to ensure continuous buy in from stakeholders?How to better align needs, expectations and time-frameworks? How to create further opportunities for researchers on tap rather than on top?
