The Common-Sense Guide to Improving the Safeguarding of Children

Terry McCarthy is a qualified social worker with over 30 years' experience in children's services. He has held senior management posts and has worked as an independent consultant for social work departments. He now runs Impact for Children Ltd, which provides consultancy and training for local authorities on developing effective safeguarding practice.

Introduction. Terminology. 1. Background and Current Environment. 1.1. The level of need and risk. 1.2. Lessons which have been identified. 1.3. Attempts to address these lessons. 1.4. The context of safeguarding. 1.5. The current environment. 1.6. Conclusion: Developing direct effective safeguarding. 2. Step One: Establish a Culture which Enables and Leads. 2.1. Ensuring that the best interests of children are met. 2.2. Developing learning and positive change. 2.3. Developing healthy and effective relationships. 2.4. Styles of authority. 2.5. Responsibility and accountability. 2.6. Clarity of purpose and performance management. 2.7. Summary of Step One. 3. Step Two: Develop a Stable, Skilled and Confident Workforce. 3.1. Emotional challenges, dilemmas and conflicts. 3.2. Supporting and developing practitioners. 3.3. Practitioner capabilities. 3.4. Manager capability. 3.5. Ensuring safety of practitioners. 3.6. Developing relationships with partner agencies. 3.7. Summary of Step Two. 4. Step Three: Enable Families to Change. 4.1. Continuous evaluation of risks and solutions. 4.2. Effective approaches with families. 4.3. Working with children. 4.4. Summary of Step Three. Appendix A: Checklist for social workers appraisal based on the PCF capabilities. Appendix B. Additional skill areas for managers. Appendix C. managing incidents of unacceptable behaviour. Appendix D. Contents of letters to families to clarify the nature and expectations of involvement. References.