1. Effective Support for Children and Families-

2. Learning and Development
Learning Outcomes from recent
Serious Case Reviews and
Learning Reviews

3. 2 Lessons identified in the following areas:
Understanding and reviewing family history
Over reliance on the word of the parents
Understanding of normal child development
Closer liaison between agencies working with the same family
The need for effective supervision and managerial oversight

4. Over reliance on the word of the parents
What does ‘active engagement’ look like? How do you check information?
Triangulation of evidence – how do we actively check that parents/families are engaging with agencies/protection plans
Do practitioners check when stated ‘parent is engaging with….’ is the parent/young person actually attending meetings
Ask participants to consider examples of practice to support statement ‘actively engaging’

5. Courageous Conversations…
Saying what needs to be said in a way others will hear it
Demonstrating respect and concern for the other person
Minimising the threat that you may represent whilst staying true to the message
Courageous conversations are not always easy because in a courageous conversation you say what you mean rather than what the other person wants to hear and sometimes it means you say what you mean rather than what is easier for you to say
Saying what needs to be said in a way others will hear it
With respect and concern for the other person
Minimizing the threat that you may represent whilst staying true to the message
Courageous conversations are not always easy because in a courageous conversation you say what you mean rather than what the other person wants to hear and sometimes it means you say what you mean rather than what is easier for you to say

6. Disguised compliance
Disguised compliance involves parents giving the appearance of co-operating with child welfare agencies to avoid raising suspicions and allay concerns. Published case reviews highlight that professionals sometimes delay or avoid interventions due to parental disguised compliance.
professionals need to establish the facts and gather evidence about what is actually happening, rather than accepting parent’s presenting behaviour and assertions. By focussing on outcomes rather than processes professionals can keep the focus of their work on the child.
system/case-reviews/learning/disguised-compliance/
Image link to video
Risk is dynamic and needs to be re-assessed as cases progress, a process of continual assessment is needed because things change.
Professionals need to operate with respectful uncertainty.

7. Protocol for Safeguarding Unborn Babies
Photo hyperlink to pre birth protocol on sscb website – practitioners need to raise awareness within their agencies of the signs and indicators of potential risk
The Pre birth protocol should be considered/applied when working with vulnerable families

8. Resolving Professional Differences policy also known as the Escalation Policy – ensure that professional differences are managed in a constructive way to encourage better multi agency working

9. Closer liaison between agencies working with the same family
Consultation Line
(Designated Leads only)
(Monday to Friday 9am -4pm)
Early Help Advice Hub
Telephone
(01823)
(Monday to Friday 9am -4pm)
New mechanisms to support working together, Professional Choices picture is a link
Effective Support Document updated ‘feb 17
Support lines in place to discuss concerns