Special Report: Technology in Social Work - Research evidence

STUDY 1

‘Rosie 2' A Child Protection Simulation: Perspectives on Neglect and the ‘Unconscious at Work'

Jane Reeves, Isobel Drew, David Shemmings and Heather Ferguson, Child Abuse Review, (2015)

The complexity of child protection places heavy demands on professionals making decisions in difficult circumstances. These stresses can affect workers' health and ability to be reflective, leading to "compassion fatigue", "burnout" and "secondary trauma". One way forward may be through the acknowledgement, engagement, support and supervision of emotion in practice.

Aiming to support safeguarding professionals to practice the complex skills involved in working with neglect, the University of Kent has developed a child protection simulation - "Rosie 2". It follows a social worker and health visitor on a virtual home visit to a family where neglect is a significant concern. This pilot study tracks the emotional responses of eight social workers, five health visitors and 11 control group members to the simulation using eye tracker technology and facial recognition software. In so doing, it provides information on the use of simulations for child protection training and how professionals might be supported to be aware of and regulate their emotional responses.