The use of research evidence regarding what works in local authority child protection systems and practice: An analysis of five local authorities

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1 The use of research evidence regarding what works in local authority child protection systems and practice: An analysis of five local authorities Dez Holmes and Rebecca Godar

2 What did we want to know? What services, interventions and approaches are being offered to vulnerable families in each authority? To what extent and in what ways do local authorities use research about what works in: commissioning designing systems and structures supporting the workforce working directly with children and families.

3 What we did Selected 5 local authorities of different sizes, regions and political composition Designed questions based around the findings about what works from Strand 1 Interviews with Lead Members, Commissioners and Principal Social Workers Focus groups with 5-10 practitioners and team managers

4 Variation Lots of variety across the 5 authorities: Different services and approaches used Different structures for delivering them Variation based on: Understanding of local needs and priorities know what problem you are trying to solve Principles and philosophy of social work practice what is the role of a social worker? The council? Local experience and capacity what has worked here (or next door) in the past and what hasn t?

5 Common patterns An overarching approach to practice in four out of five authorities (restorative and/or systemic) A mixed approach to commissioning: both evidence-based programmes and locally developed services in each authority A commitment to working with families, rather than doing to or for them, e.g Signs of Safety, Family Group Conferencing. Efforts to foreground and improve direct work, which is often done by non-social work practitioners (e.g. parenting programmes, youth work, mental health)

6 Using different types of research Research on effectiveness used to: Choose between different evidence-based programmes Build business cases to justify investment Adapt and design evidence-inspired innovative local services Research on quality of social work used to: Design structures and systems Provide training and workforce development Guide practitioners in working with individual families

7 Commissioning evidence-based programmes (EBP) Research evidence sometimes provided information on costs and benefits to justify investment Understanding of local needs and capacity critically important in making decision Programmes need to be embedded in local system: Programmes need to fit with overarching approach Practitioners need to understand what the programme does and how to refer to it But some authorities felt the arguments were not compelling enough to justify the costs Research evidence re what works is one part of the puzzle

8 Implementing EBP Benefits Successful cost avoidance: Commissioners could sometimes identify costs avoided as a result Improved outcomes: Practitioners could identify benefits for many children and families Wider improvements in practice: Practitioners transferred learning into wider practice where possible Challenges Referral criteria are strict : Some families won t be eligible Methods aren t appropriate for some families, e.g. group work or task-based programmes Capacity is limited: Fixed limits on caseloads lead to waiting lists or rejected referrals

9 Evidence-informed services Locally developed services, based on Key messages from research and theory Practice in other local authorities Previous local experience Local needs data Examples: Adolescents on edge of care, neglect, domestic violence and CSE Challenges: Inconsistency in practice Lack of capacity to evaluate process or impact Erosion of service under pressure of reduced resources

10 Evidence-informed systems Local authorities are not just thinking about what services to provide but how they are provided. Considerations when designing systems: Supporting social workers to build and sustain relationships with families Access to expertise from other professionals Support for families to participate in decision-making Role of voluntary and community sector in providing services How does it all fit together? Evidence-inspired?

11 Evidence-informed practice Social workers use research to: assess risks to children justify decision-making understand what is happening in a family provide ideas for working with families But practice wisdom and understanding the family are felt to be equally important in direct work. Creativity and adaptation are seen as core part of social worker s skills Variable confidence in using research

12 Supporting evidence-informed practice Time constraints and technical language prevent social workers from accessing research directly All authorities provided online access to research summaries and guides Social workers valued: hearing directly from academics about new research opportunities to discuss research in team meetings and supervision Social workers wanted opportunities to participate in local research to verify practice wisdom Role-modelling and leadership matter

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