A New Practice Model for Child Welfare Brad McKenzie, Professor Emeritus Faculty of Social Work, University of Manitoba Brad.McKenzie@umanitoba.ca

Major Components of the Practice Model Assessing for Safety, Risk, Family Needs and Strengths-4 training modules Applying Safety-Oriented Practice to engage parents and children in casework-11 training modules

What content to include on decision tool? All information Information learned Information needed for decision at hand This diagram illustrates a principal of decision making. We often operate under a mistaken notion that if we just gather more information we can make a better decision. That is true to a point: with no information to go on, we are left to decision making by pure chance. The SDM tools will help assure that; Each of us focus on the right facts, And use common definitions when we are making one of the key decisions Without standardized and structured tools, we would tend to: Get lost in the complicating factors Or each of us might focus on slightly different information Or define information differently As a result, reach a different decision. That is simply not fair to families.

Assessing for Safety, Risk and Family and Child Needs and Strengths- The Structured Decision-Making (SDM) Model Safety and Risk Assessment-2 training modules Assessing for Family Needs and Strengths- 2 training modules

Module 1-Assessing for Immediate Safety Concerns The SDM Safety Assessment tool Information to be collected Decision-making protocol The role of the Supervisor

Module 2-Assessing for Future Risk of Harm The SDM Risk Assessment tool for assessing abuse and neglect Information required in applying the tool The role of the Supervisor Exceptions to rules in scoring the tool

Module 3-Assessing Family Strengths and Needs Questions to be answered Sources of information Using the information to develop a case plan Reporting results The importance of integrating information from safety-oriented practice methods

Module 4- Assessing Child/ren Strengths and Needs Questions to be answered Sources of information Using the information to develop a case plan Reporting results The importance of integrating information from safety-oriented practice methods

Safety Oriented Practice Training Modules Interviewing for Safety and Danger Three Questions to Organize Your Practice Small Voices, Big Impact: Keeping Children at the Center of the Work Solution-focused Inquiry Introduction to Mapping Harm Statements, Danger Statements and Safety Goals Mapping With Families Safety Networks Safety Planning Landing the Practice Model in Everyday Work Organizational Environments: Reflection, Appreciation, and Ongoing Learning

Interviewing for Safety and Danger Module 1 Interviewing for Safety and Danger Looking at Balanced Assessments and interviewing for Safety and for Danger. Clear definitions are given which become the foundation for the remaining modules.

Three Questions to Organize Your Practice Module 2 Three Questions to Organize Your Practice Worries, Well, Next.... A focused discussion to be aware of when we use jargon and generalizations (i.e. He is an alcoholic) The focus is on paying attention to Behavioural Detail and ensuring rigorous, balanced assessments.

Small Voices, Big Impact: Keeping Children at the Centre of the Work Module 3 Small Voices, Big Impact: Keeping Children at the Centre of the Work Introduction of tools that can be utilized to understand the child’s position Three Houses Safety House

Solution Focused Inquiry Module 4 Solution Focused Inquiry We begin to practice skills utilizing solution focused interviewing and appreciative inquiry. Exception questions Scaling questions Coping questions Preferred future questions Position questions

Introduction to Mapping Module 5 Introduction to Mapping Introduces the core concepts Mapping and the connection to SDM Exploring how Mapping can be used in the office; individual worker, supervision or case consult

Harm Statements, Danger Statements and Safety Goals Module 6 Harm Statements, Danger Statements and Safety Goals Co-creating clear, concise Harm and Danger Statements and clear Safety Goals that will help organize our work with families.

Module 7 Mapping with Families How we bring the Mapping conversation to our families Partnering with families in co-creating goals that are meaningful for both the family and the agency that directly impact on child safety.

Module 8 Safety Networks How to include extended networks especially the informal members of a family’s community who are willing to participate in keeping the child/ren safe

Module 9 Safety Planning How to create a case plan with your family that focuses on meeting the needs that directly impact child safety.

Landing the Practice Model in Everyday Work Module 10 Landing the Practice Model in Everyday Work How we document and record the progress and work we do with our families.

Module 11 Organizational Environments: Reflection, Appreciation and Ongoing Learning How our organizational culture impacts our work and ultimately the children and families we work with.

How Training Happens

The Coach’s Role is to provide continued support and coaching. The Role of Coaches The coach position is not intended to replace the supervisor and that person’s vital role in decision making. The Coach’s Role is to provide continued support and coaching. The Coach will initially be “in front” rolling out each of the Practice Training Modules, Then the Coach will be “beside” Supervisors to provide support as the Supervisor begins to help staff put concepts into practice, And then “behind” where the Coach will be available for consultation as needed.

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