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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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

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

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. How Training Happens

22. 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.

23. Comments and Questions