Social worker home visits to children and families: messages from our research Dr. Karen Winter and Dr. Campbell Killick

Purpose Background Research process Findings Use of findings

Background The social worker home visit What we know and we don’t know What do we need to know more about? Why do we need to know?

Research process Communication Collaboration Considered proposal Content

Findings Pre –visit During the home visit Post home visit

Pre - visit Car as reflective space Car as preparation Car as vehicle to make connections between thoughts, feelings and intended actions

Context Normalising Northern Ireland Overwhelmed by the macro Underwhelmed by the micro

Communication Underwhelmed by the micro Communication reduced to a checklist Focuses on the tangible/scientific – I saw, I spoke, I sought Omits the humane - touch, laughter, holding Omits quality, significance

Misconnections Knowledge about children Attitudes about and towards children Demands of the job – bureaucratic versus relational Risk to child and to self

The relationship We are guardians and custodians of the stories children tell us and the aspects of their lives they choose to share with us. This process of the oral translation of information from the child to the social worker and back again is a significant aspect to children’s identity formation. We move on into other jobs and roles taking those fragments of the child’s story with us. There is no room, no space and no permission for us to be part of that ongoing process of identity formation which begins with the basic conversation ‘I remember when you..’ We have to ask ourselves whether what we do now is the best way to help children form meaningful relationships, help them recover their shattered sense of identity and to re-establish their inner core’.

Use of findings Audit Materials Training Role of senior practitioner