Engagement and working together

The introduction to these procedures  contains a summary of what parents might expect of services during child protection processes. These expectations form a basis for positive engagement. The aim is to develop goals in collaboration on the basis of shared understanding.

In some situations partnership may seem unrealistic due to resistance, avoidance, or aggression. Some parents struggle to follow through on verbal agreements.

Building effective relationships

Engagement therefore requires exploration of the barriers to collaboration and of the factors that encourage motivation to change. Persistent outreach or advocacy for parents may be needed for those with whom services find it hard to engage.

Frontline staff who experience aggressive and threatening behaviour from service users should be provided with supervisory support.

Child protection procedures should promote consistency and co-ordinated action. However, families may still find it hard to understand what is happening. Partnership can only evolve if processes and choices are understood. Trust cannot develop unless professionals are reliable.

Investigations and formal meetings require careful preparation for child and family. This entails attention to the pace, place, planning and support for anxiety-provoking processes and transitions.

Preventative, protective and reparative assessment and action should all be co-ordinated and streamlined, as appropriate in each situation. The flexibility, specialist expertise and community understanding of Third Sector organisations is often a leading ingredient in provision of advocacy and in preventative, protective and reparative support for children and families. Wherever possible, family support should be provided early.