Children Social Care Hackney Model Helsingfors 22 nd May 2012 This presentation was held on a conference of the project „STEP“. The project „STEP“ has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

London

London Population of Greater London:7,7 million (2005) Wider metropolitan area has an estimated population of million people 2001: 71.15% classed their ethnic group as white, including the White British (59.79%), White Irish (3.07%) or "Other White" (8.29%, mostly Greek and Turkish Cypriot, Italian and French) % classed themselves as British Asian, including Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and "Other Asian" (mostly Sri Lankan, Arab and other Southern Asian ethnicities).(Wikipedia)

London 300 languages spoken London's foreign-born population is 31% 27.1% of Greater London's population were born outside the UK The largest religious groupings in London are Christian (58.2%), those of no religion (15.8%), Muslim (8.2%), Hindu (4.1%), Jewish (2.1%), and Sikh (1.5%).

London Borough of Hackney

Host of the Olympic Games 2012 Population: % describe themselves as White British, (15%) are in other White ethnic groups ( 30% are Black or Black British, 9.4% are Asian or Asian British, 8,501 4% describe themselves as 'Mixed', 3% as Chinese or Other.

Changing the narrative about social work

Whole Systems Change -Clear methodological approach to practice supported by investment (time and money) in professional development - flatter, wider, approachable management team - devolved decision making to front line practitioners (matrix of responsibility) - shared accountability for risk and accommodating children - review of back office systems that constrain practice – finance, IT, - robust performance management -Organisational learning – feedback loops

Methodology Systemic Social Work? Social Work informed by Systemic thinking?

2 nd Order Perspective Judging / Doing ‘to’ Collaborating / Doing ‘with’

Ideas that permeate The power of conversation -Changing language -Changing Ideas -Changing Approach Training Social Work Systemic Approach

Working with multiple systems Families Colleagues within the organisation Colleagues in other organisations Wider Community

The difference that makes a difference – building a different sort of organisation -Multiple voices -Embracing difference -Reflective space -Keeping an open mind -Reflective Practice CONSULTANT SOCIAL WORKER CHILDREN’S PRACTITIONER UNIT CO-ORDINATOR FAMILY THERAPIST / CLINICAL PRACTITIONER SOCIAL WORKER

Why Units? Skill mix High frequency case supervision – assessment, planning, review Multiple voices Robust administrative support to free up practitioners to work with children, young people and families Culture of generosity Culture of learning

Weekly Unit Meetings Assess, plan, review Manage risk Slow down, think rather than react Take another position, consider alternative hypothesis Observe your own actions and reactions Share learning Record progress Review decisions CSWs are the decision makers Accountability tool

Service Outcomes and Gains Reduction in numbers of children in care Maintaining more children within their families and communities Some of the best education results for children in care in the country 50% less sickness (a challenge for Hackney historically) Confident practitioners Improved relationships within and beyond the organisation Happy, enthusiastic staff and managers

What we’ve learned  in depth, high quality teaching of concepts  high frequency, skilled supervision  space for thinking and reflection  critical mass of learners - good learning environment, practitioners take risks together, wider influence  Systemic Social Work