Pressure is mounting on our social workers to get everything right in protecting children. This does not help develop a culture where workers reflect critically without fear of blame. How can we improve the situation?
Procedures must be followed but not in a way that suffocates professional judgment. This needs to be developed among all agencies so that the different views, roles, options and actions are shared, discussed and understood. Try establishing a multi-agency case audit forum of professions chaired by someone neutral.
Ensure the focus is on positive problem solving. Agree with managers that cases will be presented by agencies in turn. The mixed group will support and challenge the worker to review their work and others’. When errors are spotted, ensure they are dealt with by the group, offering positive solutions, not blame. If there are management issues, refer back to the agency and deal with them outside the forum. Develop and publicise across the agencies the problem solving, shared learning and shared risk management approach through his forum.
Answered by Paul Clark, director of the Potential Organisation. He was director of children’s services in Harrow for seven years
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