Putting Signs of Safety into Practice Implementation across all services and Reflections on a Child’s Death

Agenda What are North Tyneside Best Hopes Our Journey so Far & Implementation Case Study – Death of a Child Learning from Implementation Where are we

What are our best hopes Children, young people and their families report positive experiences of their involvement with services A single model of practice with a common language that everyone understands and uses including children and families who services are working with. More children being cared for within family networks when it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Our Journey So Far Started with two days introduction training in April 2017 Senior Leadership Team attended five days training in April 2017 Social Care Staff including health and police attended five days training in November 2017 Training Practice Leads to drive forward the model.

Implementation GETTING IT RIGHT AT THE START – Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub – What we do What we did – whole area launch not just one area to pilot

Implementation When did we really go for it – Learning Curve Partner Agencies – how did we let them know and get them on board (Briefings) – Also open to the public Commissioned a new electronic case recording system with Signs of Safety templates – Liquid Logic – we were first in the World

Having a Conscience or a Marjorie as she is called in North Tyneside Having a Marjorie – Jiminy Cricket - he was a great conscience to Pinocchio . Well this is what Marjorie is to us –– “When you get in trouble and you don’t know right from wrong, give a little whistle.” or a shout for Marjorie……..

Having a Conscience or a Marjorie as she is called in North Tyneside Support in reframing cases – but slip back IRO’s were said to be a “hard nut to crack” Group Supervision – Marjorie was key in supporting

“Without Deviation Progress is not Possible” Frank Zappa Musician and American Philosopher (1940-1993)

Death of a Child Death of a baby with a family who were known to social workers – including a Child Protection Plan and previously out of parents care Drugs, alcohol, domestic violence and mental health issues Reaction - Doing what we have always done

The Light Bulb Moment Light bulb moment – 4 days before our Final Evidence was due to be filed Case Mapping & Network Meeting Court had confidence in the Family Plan Allowed child to return home

What did their Family Plan Look like?

Learning from Implementation Development Journey -– 2 steps forward one back and that is fine Liquid Logic – First in the world – the surprise that on the system it wasn’t 3 columns Remember your questions these are key – prepare – slow down your thinking

Learning from Implementation Gap between 2 days and 5 days was too long Practice Leads trained first and quickly Catch up with changing policy and procedure Too much too soon HOLD YOUR NERVE and BE BRAVE

Some surprises Feedback from Children in Care Council “Keep it really simple and honest – I like that”. Early Help – fully embraced and developed Our Children’s Homes – Riverdale 0-19 Health Visiting Service OFSTED – Strongest Implementation of Signs of Safety that they had seen

THANK YOU Contact Details Victoria McLeod – victoria.mcleod@northtyneside.gov.uk Majella Tallack – majella.tallack@northtyneside.gov.uk