Safety Organized Practice Solution focused methods, organized around child safety

Safety Organized CP Practice Partnership with Parents + Collaborative Relationships with Community Partners _____________________________ Best Outcomes for Child Safety “Signs of Safety” Turnell & Edwards, 1999

Safety Organized CP Practice Overview Integration with current practice Tools of the trade Questions for detail Formats for information gathering Consultation format

Integration/Current CP Practice Legal definitions of maltreatment Current responses Family Assessment vs Investigation Structured decision making tools Family Group Decision Making Need for protective services and/or CHIPS petition Ongoing CP services

Tools-Questions for detail Elicit information about a specific issue Acquire details about the first question Reflect on the meaning Start over by focusing on a new issue

Tools-Formats for Info Gathering Three houses Parent consult form Words and pictures Consultation format

Created by Nicki Weld, Wellington NZ ‘Three Houses’ Child Protection Risk Assessment Process to use with Children and Young People Created by Nicki Weld, Wellington NZ House of Worries House of Dreams House of Good Things On 3 separate pieces of paper draw with the children their experience and vision of each house. Use these drawings with the adults in deepening the assessment and planning process. More Info: www.signsofsafety.net/Around_the_World.html - New Zealand: Child Youth and Family

What are we Worried About? The WWW protocol - For worker and client to do assessment and planning together . What are we Worried About? What’s Working Well? What Needs to Happen? Strengths Safety Our View Your View Rate the situation on a scale of 0 - 10, where 0 means things are so bad the family can no longer care for the children and 10 means that everything that needs to happen for the children to be safe in the family is happening © 2004 Andrew Turnell aturnell@iinet.com.au

Words and Pictures Combines all information gathered Written and drawn at child’s level Assists parent’s communication with child Explores what child knows or is concerned about Has positive and negative information Helps create a safety plan in a way the child understands

Safety = Strengths Demonstrated As Protection Over Time. Building Safety & Strengthening Families Practice Safety = Strengths Demonstrated As Protection Over Time. Danger/Harm Safety Genogram . Strengths/Protective Factors (Ahlquist 2000) Risk Statement(s) Next Steps (Immediate Progress) Safety Protection Required Complicating Factors Current Ranking nmnmnm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Focus/Purpose of Consultation Enough Safety to Close

Specific to the Family What are the current danger and harm factors we are concerned about? What are the risk statements? What are the complicating factors? What are the safety factors? What are the strengths?

Danger & Harm General Specific Concern that the child is exposed to domestic violence Specific 10 month old Sam is being held by his mom, Judy, when dad, Pete, punches Judy, causing her to fall. Sam’s head strikes a table causing a large bump and bruise. Neighbors call 911 and Pete is arrested.

What are the Risk Statements General Repeat domestic violence Specific We are worried because this is the second time Pete has been physically assaultive with Judy and this time was more serious.

Risk Statements General Specific There is a history of Pete being abused Specific We are worried because Pete’s father punched both he and his mother and injured them many times, from the time Pete was 6 years old until the father left the home when Pete was 14

What are the complicating factors? General Judy has no income Pete lacks a support system Specific Pete has a job that pays well and he provides most of the financial resources for the family Pete does not have a supportive family and no friends he is close to and can rely on

Safety General Specific Relative support system Aunt Rose has a spare bedroom where Judy and Sam can stay for as long as Judy wants to.

Other Safety Factors General Specific Law enforcement involved Exceptions to the violence Specific Neighbors called 911 because of concern for Judy and Sam & Pete was arrested Pete and Judy have argued before without any threats or violence

What are the Strengths ? General Specific The extended family is supportive Specific Judy’s aunt Rose, lives half a mile away and visits mom frequently. Rose is an excellent care giver to her own children and Judy seeks her advice. Judy leaves Sam with Rose so she can run errands.

What are the Strengths? General Specific Judy is a good mother Judy provides attentive care to Sam, he goes to her, they cuddle, she responds to him being upset

What are the Strengths? General Specific Father interacts well Pete usually provides good care for Sam. He plays with him and cares for him and Judy has never noted any concern for Pete harming Sam.

What are the Strengths General Specific Pete and Judy are cooperative Pete and Judy have met separately with the social workers and were open and honest in describing what happened

Safety = Strengths Demonstrated As Protection Over Time. Building Safety & Strengthening Families Practice Safety = Strengths Demonstrated As Protection Over Time. Danger/Harm Safety 10 month old Sam was held by Judy when Pete punched Judy, she fell while holding Sam and Sam’s head hit a table causing a large bruise and bump Genogram Neighbors called 911 and Pete was arrested Aunt Rose has a spare bedroom for Judy & Sam Pete and Judy have argued before without threats or violence. Strengths/Protective Factors (Ahlquist 2000) Risk Statement(s) • We are worried because this is the second time Pete has been physical with Judy and this time was more violent. • Judy clearly loves Sam; he goes to her, they cuddle, she responds to him being upset • We are worried because Pete’s father punched both he and his mother and injured them, from the time Pete was 6 years old and until his father left the home when Pete was 14 • Judy’s aunt Rose lives close to her, is supportive of her and provides care for Sam so Judy & Pete can have a break Next Steps (Immediate Progress) Safety Protection Required Pete usually interacts well with Sam, plays with him and has never hurt him when caring for him Complicating Factors Current Ranking • Pete and Judy have met separately with the social workers and both appear honest and open about what happened. • Pete has a job that pays well and he provides most resources for the family Judy has decided to spend some time with Sam at Rose’s house to see if Pete takes action • Pete views the domestic violence as serious and believes he needs help. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pete’s boss has tried to befriend him and is a good example for Pete both on the job and at home Pete has told his boss about the incident & he will be part of a safety plan. •Pete has no supportive family and no friends he is close to or can rely on. Pete has contacted DAIP and will begin the Men’s education group. Pete will visit Sam at Rose’s house and Rose will be in charge of the visit. Focus/Purpose of Consultation Pete will provide financial resources to Judy and Sam, through Rose Enough Safety to Close

Summit Information This gathering is a beginning Other collaborative efforts will be made Action Steps could be grand schemes or small beginnings Participants will get a written summary We will have a forum to gather again at SLC Conference in October

Thoughts to Ponder “Smooth seas do not make good sailors” (African American Proverb) “Listen or your tongue will make you deaf” (American Indian Proverb) “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time is now” (Chinese Proverb) “The future belongs to those who see the beauty of a dream” (Eleanor Roosevelt)

Safety Organized CP Practice Partnership with Parents + Collaborative Relationships with Community Partners _____________________________ Best Outcomes for Child Safety “Signs of Safety” Turnell & Edwards, 1999

Break Out Questions What strategies or examples of community collaboration have worked well? What are some of the challenges to communities collaborating for child safety? What are some of the solutions to the challenges that you have considered? What action steps could the group recommend today?