Why do we need a practice panel?

1. Edinburgh Children’s Social Work Practice Panel Event22 November 2011Andy Jeffries, Service Manager,Children’s Practice Teams 1

2. Why do we need a practice panel? Background Discussion with managers since early 2010 – how do we focus more on quality of practice and take a departmental view on models of intervention HoS paper approved 2010 “Promoting Models of Intervention for Social Work Practitioners in Edinburgh” CEC improvement agenda focussed on organisational structure, business process and improvement in KPIs KPIs quantitative rather than qualitative Sustained improvements in the basics give us more opportunity to focus on quality and what works 2

3. Relatively youthful workforce in C&F practice teams – both a challenge and an opportunity • New workers need to be equipped for practice and more experienced workers need opportunities to refresh their skills and knowledge • Practice development in CEC primarily led by WLD and enthusiastic practitioners – no overall management approach • Managers should promote a learning culture within the organisation – capitalise on knowledge and skills of workers, and support knowledge exchange with university 3

4. Membership of practice panel early 2011- mix of SCYP practitioners, managers, WLD, university Debates about whether to promote specific models of intervention Start with clarity on values (statement derived from IFSW – self-determination; participation; concern with whole person; focus on strengths) Guided reading around current literature – strengths and relationship based perspectives 4

5. Lonne, B., Parton, N., Thomas, J. and Harries, M. (2009) Reforming Child Protection, London: Routledge. Munro, E (2011) The Munro Review of Child Protection: Final Report. A child-centred system, London: Department of Education. Ruch G, Turney D and Ward, A. Eds (2010) Relationship Based Social Work: Getting tothe heart of practice, London: Jessica Kingsley. Saleebey, D. (1992) The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice, New York: Longman. 5

6. Key Issues: Renewed focus on child and family well-being Well-articulated value base Relationship-based practice and genuine partnerships with C&F Approaches that accept and manage risk Local connections and assistance to families Engagement between practice-informed management and front-line staff Child and family informed practice Focus on outcomes for C&F and communities over time 6

7. Munro - shift from compliance culture to one which focuses on effective help and protection for children. “This move from compliance to a learning culture will require those working in child protection to be given more scope to exercise professional judgment in deciding how best to help children and their families.” • Relationships are key to success or otherwise of social work interventions. Good outcomes won’t be achieved solely by training staff in specific practice approaches. 7

8. “The panel is ……of the view that we should not restrict our staff to certain prescribed approaches to practice but should promote a diversity of practice through opportunities for practitioners to share and reflect together on what has worked well and to learn from what has not.” (HoS report 2011)

9. Our challenge – to maintain and improve performance on the basics while building activities and conversations which support and build a learning culture in the organisation and improve relationships and outcomes for children and young people. • Partnership with Edinburgh University – Knowledge Exchange – inc joint bid to Economic and Social Research Council for funding to support reflective practice activity

10. Today’s event – conversations to build connections between practitioners across different services • How can the practice panel best support the development of a culture of learning in C&F?