Learning from Case Reviews - National Safeguarding Week 2022

MICROSOFT TEAMS LIVE SEMINAR: Tuesday 15th November 2022, 10:00am to 12:45pm

This Webinar bases on the key themes and messages from the above Corum BAFF publication, based on a UK wide study of 52 case reviews concerning 98 children who had experienced serious harm while living with foster carers, adopters or special guardians. The study spans 12 years and is the first to focus exclusively on reviews of cases of children in alternative family care. It shines a spotlight on those issues particular to these children – selection and assessment of carers; support for children and carers; and the supervision and management of arrangements.

This study identifies recurring issues of concern in case reviews, including:

• the assessment and selection of carers: exploring motivations, gaps in information, sensitive issues, carer attitudes, and managing doubt and uncertainty;
• keeping the child at the heart of practice: improving placement planning, reviewing children’s wellbeing, listening to children, and closely monitoring vulnerable children;
• supporting carers: the level of supervision and oversight, the impact of organisational pressures, maintaining objectivity;
• being aware of the assumption of safety in foster care and adoption: reluctance to explore unease, asking questions about an absent child, avoiding manipulation, and maintaining authority;
• effective communication and collaboration: between agencies, including health, social care and education, and clarity about responsibilities to share information between services and across local authority

Meets Learning Outcomes for staff groups C and D of the Mid and West Wales Safeguarding Board All Age Regional Training Strategy

FACILITATORS

• Professor Hedy Cleaver: Professor Hedy Cleaver is an emeritus professor at Royal Holloway College, University of London. Her experience as a social worker and child psychologist informs her research on vulnerable children and families and the impact of professional interventions. The guiding principle underpinning her work is a desire to improve the quality of life for children living in circumstances that place them at risk of abuse and/or neglect.
• Wendy Rose OBE: Wendy Rose OBE held children’s policy responsibilities at the Department of Health as Assistant Chief Inspector, following social work and senior management experience in the NHS and local authority. As a Senior Research Fellow at the Open University, she worked on research and development projects. She has worked with the Welsh Government on its safeguarding reforms and was an Honorary Research Fellow at Cardiff University. She has published widely, including with Julie Barnes, the second national biennial analysis of serious case reviews, Improving Safeguarding Practice, for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (2008) in England.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This webinar will be suitable for Social Workers, Social Work Managers, IROs, Adoption Social Workers, Fostering Panel Chairs, relevant preventative services, health professionals and Police Officers.