What Helps Social Workers Make Good Decisions in Cases of Neglect?

What Helps Social Workers Make Good Decisions in Cases

of Neglect?

NSPCC StrategyPriority Themes

Evaluation

Context

• Unbiased file/report read

APPROACH

• Focused FFR using NCFAS G

• Co-Worked by LA & NSPCC SW

• Independent scaling using definitions

• NSPCC authored report

• Report owned by SSD

NCFAS-G Domains

A. Environment B. Parental CapabilitiesC. Family InteractionsD. Family SafetyE. Child Well-beingF. Social/Community LifeG. Self-SufficiencyH. Family Health

What Helps?• Focus on long-term safety of the child• The requirement to be evidence based• Capacity for critical reflection• Increased time given to the family• The use of numerical scores and traffic light

coded charts• The focus on strengths as well as weaknesses

• Emphasis on communication (within LA)

Learning from Implementation

• Factoring in capacity for children's sessions

• Training LA SWs and NSPCC together• Cannot overstate importance of professional

and trusting relationships

• Farmer, E. and Lutman, E. (2012) Effective working with neglected children and their families: linking to long term outcomes. London: JKP

• Gardner, R. (2008) Developing an effective response to neglect and emotional harm to children, University of East Anglia and the NSPCC

• Daniel, B., Taylor, J., Scott., J.Derbyshire, D. and Neilson, D. (2011) Recognizing and Helping the Neglected Child: Evidence-Based Practice for Assessment and Intervention, London: JKP

• Gaudin, J. M. (1999) Child Neglect: Short – Term and Long – Term outcomes, in, Dubowitz, H. [Ed} Neglected children: research, Practice and Policy, London: Sage Publications, pp89-108

• Full reading list available in hard copy

Related Reading

Paula TelfordTel: 0191 2275300Mobile: 07880 [email protected]

Karen BurrowsTel: 01792 456545Mobile: [email protected]

Mike WilliamsTel: [email protected]

Contacts

Any questions?