Building safety and deepening our practice

Abstract

Working in child protection can feel like walking a tightrope, balanced between leaving a child in a dangerous situation on the one side and intervention that might do more harm than good on the other (Munro, 2007). Situations that require intervention from a child protection agency are usually complex; it can be hard to determine what has happened in the past, much less what might happen in the future. As highlighted in previous articles in this edition of Social Work Now, assessment is the foundation of any intervention. We need to understand a situation in enough detail to be able to identify both risk and protective factors (Rutter, 1999). As Turnell and Edwards (1997, p. 181) explain: “Risk assessment can only ever be half the equation. The other half must be the discovery and development of safety for the child in the present and the future.” Ability to care for children may be compromised by issues of family violence, substance abuse and a low level of parenting knowledge and skills, making intervention necessary to ensuure children’s safety. Whether children are placed in care or remain with their family, ensuring ongoing safety requires a significant investment of time and energy from all involved with the child, including the family and the wider network, as well as helping professionals. Given the essential role of the client–worker relationship in facilitating positive change (Munro, 2010) the onus is on child protection practitioners to make the most of every opportunity to develop this relationship. This article explores the ways in which social work practitioners can work alongside children and families to create safety plans that will pave the way to a brighter future.