Children's Social Services Research Articles

Parent's Experience of a New Approach to Family Safeguarding in Oxfordshire Children Social Care Services

ABSTRACTThe Family Safeguarding Practice (FSP) framework represents a major shift in the approach to family safeguarding and services, with a much greater emphasis on empowering and supporting the family to be able to care for their child safely and independently. The aim of the study was to understand the impact of the new model to family's experience with children social services and what parts of the model were helpful or challenging. We recruited parents (n = 20) whose children are subject to statutory plans in Oxfordshire County Children Social Services. We used semi‐structured interviews to understand their experiences and views of services following the introduction of the new model (which was implemented in 2021). The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Parents reported positive experiences with social services when communication was clear and concise, and they felt involved and listened to, which motivated them to make changes and address long‐standing difficulties. Parents were especially positive about the involvement of adult‐facing practitioners (AFPs), in many cases, describing them as life transforming. The findings highlight the importance of working with the whole family and not just the child. Parents appreciated the key elements of the FSP programme: continuity of care, AFPs, open communication and better coordination of services. Parents' experiences however were very variable and suggest that some elements of the FSP model such as motivational interviewing and having one social worker throughout were not consistently implemented.

Regional trends in mental health inequalities in young people aged 16–25 in the UK and the role of cuts to local government expenditure: Repeated cross-sectional analysis using the British household panel Survey/UK household longitudinal survey

Young people's mental health globally has been in decline. Because of their low perceived need, young people's services tend to be the first cut when budgets are reduced. There is a lack of evidence on how a reduction in services and opportunities for young people is associated with their mental health. Additionally, how this may be magnified by place and the assets and challenges of place. The aim of this study is to explore trends in young people's mental health measured by GHQ-12 over time in the twelve regions of the UK. We estimated an interrupted time series model using 2010 as a break point from which there was a shift in government policy to a prolonged period of large reductions in central government funding. Repeated cross-sectional data on young people aged 16–25 is used from the British Household Panel Survey and its successor survey UK Household Longitudinal Survey. Results showed a statistically significant reduction in mental health for young people living in the North East, Wales, and the East of England. The North East was the region with the largest reduction in funding and saw the greatest reduction in young people's mental health. Next, we look at how reductions in local government expenditure related to services for children and young people: children's social services, education, transportation, and culture; explain the observed decline in mental health. We employ a Blinder-Oaxaca Decomposition approach comparing young people's mental health between 2011 and 2017. Results show a marginally statistically significant decrease in young people's mental health over this time. Unobserved factors related to transport spending and children's social services explain some of this gap. Area level factors such as deprivation, infrastructure, and existing assets need to be considered when distributing funding for young people's services to avoid exacerbating regional inequalities in mental health.

Invisible patients in rare diseases: parental experiences with the healthcare and social services for children with rare diseases. A mixed method study

This study explores the experiences of Polish caregivers of children with rare disease (CRD) with health care and social services for CRD. A mixed-methods approach was employed, using an open-ended questionnaire with a convenience sample. Quantitative data presented through descriptive statistics, were complemented by thematic analysis applied to qualitative responses. Responses from 925 caregivers of 1002 children with CRD revealed that the duration of the diagnostic journey varied, spanning from 0 to 18 years, with an average time of 1.7 years. Similarly, the average number of physicians consulted before receiving the correct diagnosis was 4.8. The Internet was basic source of information about children’s disease. Although caregivers were to some extent satisfied with the quality of health care for CRD, they complained at the accessibility of health care and social services, physicians’ ignorance regarding RDs, the lack of co-ordinated care and financial and psychological support. To break the cycle of the diagnostic and therapeutic odyssey that may aggravate the condition of CRD, cause parental stress and financial burden there is a need to change our view on CRD from cure to family-oriented care. Multifaceted challenges and needs of CRD families should be prioritized.

Model Pelayanan Sosial Panti dan Non Panti di Lembaga Kesejahteraan Sosial Anak (LKSA) Anak Gembira

This research aims to find out the implementation of home-based and non-antibased social service models implemented at the Child Social Welfare Agency (LKSA) Anak Gembira. LKSA Anak Gembira is an institution that provides social services for children who need protection and welfare. The research method in this study is descriptive qualitative which describes the model of social services based on orphanages and non-orphanages. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and analysis of related documents. Consisting of 10 research informants, 1 key informant, 6 main informants and 3 additional informants. The institution-based social service model applied is an institutional-based social service model. The non-anti-based social service model uses a family-based social service model. The implementation of the institution-based and non- institution-based social service models at LKSA Anak Gembira still has several shortcomings, including the unoptimal use of the Rumah Pertolongan in providing social services to children outside the orphanage, the absence of BPJS Health cards for children living in the orphanage, and the unavailability of professional social workers who can provide counselling services to children in the orphanage and the absence of a special room to carry out counselling activities in the orphanage. The result of this research is that in providing social services at LKSA Anak Gembira, it has implemented two social service models, namely the orphanage and non-orphanage models, so that this can be an encouragement for other orphanages or LKSA to also implement this social service model.

A qualitative investigation into care-leavers' experiences of accessing mental health support.

People who grew up under the care of children's social services are a highly vulnerable group, with 50% of this population meeting the criteria for a mental health problem at any one time. Emerging evidence suggests that there is a disparity between the number of people who require support, and those that receive it, and that they face several barriers to accessing timely and effective mental health support. We have a limited understanding of how to support the mental health of this group as they 'age out' of children's social services, and the transition to independence, which occurs around the age of 18. We aimed to explore how care-leavers understand their experiences of help-seeking from formal mental health services. We used qualitative interviews, and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis with 9 care-experienced young people aged between 18 and 25 years old. This work was co-produced by a team of care-experienced adults, from the conception of the study to write-up. Qualitative analysis revealed several themes which centred around: (1) taking reluctant steps towards recovery, (2) challenges with being understood and the importance of gaining an understanding of yourself, (3) navigating trust and (4) the legacy of not having your mental health needs met. We identified several important implications for health and social care practice, across primary and secondary health care settings. This work highlights ways to better support this highly vulnerable group in accessing evidence-based mental health support, and how to maintain engagement.

Ketahanan Psikologis pada Anak Jalanan: Dasar Pengembangan Layanan Intervensi bagi Konselor Komunitas

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of psychological resilience of street children in Semarang Social Service Institutions. This study uses a quantitative approach with an ex post facto research design. This research was conducted at two locations, namely the Mandiri Children's Social Service Center in Semarang and the Wira Adhi Karya Social Service Center in Semarang. The population in this study amounted to 150 street children. The research sample was 110 street children who were taken by area random sampling technique. The research instrument used was a psychological resilience scale. This study uses validity and reliability tests. Based on the 70 statement items on the psychological resilience scale, there are 48 statement items that are declared valid and reliable. This study uses data analysis techniques, namely descriptive analysis. Based on the results of the descriptive analysis, it was revealed that the psychological resilience of street children in Semarang Social Service Institutions was in the moderate category with M = 135 and SD = 15.4. While the researchers also revealed based on the results of the descriptive analysis that street children are in the moderate category on each indicator of psychological resilience according to the theory of Connor & Davidson.

How children and young people understand and experience individual participation in social services for children and young people: a synthesis of qualitative studies

ABSTRACT Although there is a growing knowledge base on children and young people’s (CYP) participation in child welfare and social work, it is necessary to systematically describe and summarise the knowledge from their subjective perspectives. This study has conducted a meta-analysis of qualitative research on CYP’s experiences of individual participation in social services for children and young people. We specifically focus on what the research literature can tell us about how they understand the concept of individual participation and which professional practices they find essential for their participation in the services. The aim is to present knowledge about individual participation in social services seen from the CYP perspective.

Differences in the Influence of Core Stability and Balance Training Training on the Risk of Falling in the Elderly

Background of the problem: The aging process causes a decrease in the sensory system, musculoskeletal system, and neurological system which will cause balance disorders and also the risk of falling, to reduce these problems, physical activity must be increased, to improve this there are several exercises such as core stability and balance training. Research Objectives: This study aims to determine differences in the effect of core stability training and balance training on reducing the risk of falling in the elderly. Research Methods: The research design was two group pre and post test design. Research Subjects: The subjects in this study were the elderly who were at risk of falling in the Independent Children's Social Service Institution for the Elderly Social Service "Pucang Gading" who met the inclusion criteria. The number of subjects as many as 30 subjects were divided into 2 groups divided by randomization. Group I was given core stability training and group II was given balance training. Fall risk measurement uses the Time Up and Go Test (TUGT). Research Results: The results of different test groups of core stability and balance training post test using the Independent T-Test showed p = 0.00 (p = <0.05). This shows that there is a difference in the effect of core stability training and balance training on reducing the risk of falling in the elderly. The results of the mean difference in the core stability and balance training groups showed that the core stability group was greater than the balance training group. Conclusion: Core stability has more influence on reducing the risk of falling in the elderly than balance training Group

Transformation of Out-of-Home Services for Children in North Macedonia: Towards Individualized and Child Tailored Care

Abstract Republic of North Macedonia in the last several years undergoes comprehensive social protection reform. The reform processes have been focused on furthering the processes of deinstitutionalization, decentralization and pluralization of social services delivery. The transformation of social protection institutions has been one of the key priorities in this period, specifically out-of-family services for children. In this respect, alternative care services for children without parents and parental care has been strengthened and promoted. Foster care as a traditional form of protection has been given particular attention and has undergone considerable changes. This article will review key reform processes in the domain of social protection in the country, with focus on social services for children without parents and parental care. To do this, results from recent empirical research will be presented. Mixed methodology research findings target current conditions in respect to foster care, small group homes and supported living as services used for placement of children without parents and parental care as well as professional approaches used to provide for individualized and child-tailored care. Cross-cutting issues relate to human rights, basic human needs and social integration of children.

Training of child welfare social workers: American, British, and Ukrainian approaches

The article considers the training of child social workers in the UK, the USA, and Ukraine. The study aim relates the structure, content, and forms of training. Theoretical, and comparative methods allowed to generalize the available data on the issue current state of professional training of social workers. The results of the study allow concluding that the common features of American, British, and Ukrainian system of social workers training for the work with children are: (i) the use of a variety of teaching forms, methods, and technologies; (ii) the curriculum orientation on the unity of theoretical and practical components; courses addressing direct work with children and families, social policy, social services for children and families with much attention to the aspects of adoption, foster care, juvenile justice, child abuse, child neglect, etc. The research outcomes testify that the principal difference between models of social workers training is the accent of curriculum in the UK and the USA on the issues of preventive care, social and legal protection of children, and in Ukraine − on the deviation’s correction, on the therapeutic assistance.

Understanding the Impact of a New Approach to the Safeguarding of Children at Risk: An Evaluation Protocol

Child Safeguarding Services intervene in situations where a child is at risk of serious emotional or physical harm. The response will vary according to the level of risk, but in serious cases, a child may need to be removed from danger and cared for by foster parents either temporarily or permanently. The number of children being taken into care has increased markedly in recent years in the United Kingdom. Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) is implementing a new approach to the welfare of children (Family Solutions Plus; FSP) in which the focus is to support the whole family and ideally reduce the need for foster care.In this paper, we describe a proposed programme of evaluation to examine the impact of FSP on the time children are in contact with services, the nature of the support provided, experience of children and families, the experience of staff, and longer term outcomes for children, particularly whether they remain within the family or need to be cared for outside the home. A mixed methods approach will be taken in an observational retrospective study of children's social care services. Quantitative research will include descriptive analysis on data routinely collected by OCC, examining the effect on time spent in services, outcomes for children and how these outcomes are mediated by family characteristics and circumstances. Qualitative research will be carried out using individual interviews and focus groups with children, families and staff in the teams providing family safeguarding services to capture their experiences with the new model. This project has been registered with the OCC as a service evaluation. The qualitative studies will seek ethical approval from Oxford University Ethics Committee. A local data sharing agreement will govern the transfer of quantitative data. Results will be disseminated through newsletters, community forums, professional publications and conference presentations to national and international audiences.

Des enveloppes institutionnelles aux enveloppes psychiques : réflexions sur l’intérêt d’un dispositif de contenance à plusieurs niveaux en foyer de l’enfance

ContextIn order to emphasise the importance of prevention with regard to institutional deficiencies, we outline here a direct observation method which could be established in a children's home. ObjectiveThe objective is to demonstrate how work on institutional containment at several levels aims to create an “institutional skin”, essential to avoid mirroring by adults caring for vulnerable children. MethodsThe article seeks to put into perspective the history of a specific place (Foyer Parent de Rosan), the application of psychoanalytic theories of psychic envelopes, and clinical and institutional work with a child aged 24 to 30 months entrusted to Children's Social Services. ResultsThe presentation seeks to evaluate this method and underline its potentially therapeutic effects. InterpretationsSpecific institutional development work is necessary in order that achievements regarding the prevention of deficiency factors are not called into question.

Children's services inspections

Jo Stephenson summarises key trends in inspection outcomes for children's social care services, while a local authority performance expert offers key advice on how to prepare for an Ofsted visit

A review of the relationship between poverty and child abuse and neglect: Insights from scoping reviews, systematic reviews and meta‐analyses

AbstractAn up‐to‐date and accurate picture of the evidence on the impact of poverty is a necessary element of the debate about the future direction of children's social care services internationally. The purpose of this paper is to update evidence about the relationship between poverty and child abuse and neglect (CAN) published since a previous report in 2016 (Bywaters et al., 2016). A systematic search was conducted, identifying seven reviews. Poverty was found to be consistently and strongly associated with maltreatment, be that in terms of familial or community‐level poverty, or in terms of economic security. Findings demonstrated that both the type and the quantity of economic insecurities impacted child maltreatment. Certain economic insecurities – income losses, cumulative material hardship and housing hardship – reliably predicted future child maltreatment. Likewise, as families experienced more material hardship, the risk for maltreatment intensified. In some studies, the relationship between poverty and maltreatment differed by abuse type. Future reviews need to investigate individual papers and their findings across different CAN measures, definitions, samples, abuse types and conceptualisations of poverty to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current research base and the directions which need to be taken to further understand and prevent CAN.

Outsourcing and children's social care services: an observational longitudinal analysis of inspection outcomes among English children's homes and local authorities

BackgroundMost children's social care services in England are operated by for-profit companies, but the implications of this development are not well understood. We aimed to evaluate the associations between for-profit outsourcing and quality of service provision among local authorities and children's home providers in England, UK. MethodsWe did an observational longitudinal analysis of inspection outcomes among English children's homes and local authorities. We created and analysed a novel, longitudinal dataset of inspections from Ofsted (ie, the independent regulator of children's social care in England) over a period of 7 years (2014–21; n=13 452). We also analysed the association between Ofsted local authority ratings (n=147) and the use of for-profit outsourcing. FindingsWe found that for-profit children's home providers are significantly more likely to be rated of lower quality than both public and third sector services across all provider level Ofsted inspection domains. For example, for-profit providers have 33·7% lower odds (odds ratio [OR] 0·663; 95% CI 0·522–0·842) than local authority providers of being rated “Outstanding”, “Good”, or “Requires Improvement”, as opposed to “Inadequate” in the main “Overall Experiences” Ofsted category. For-profit services also violate more legal requirements (OR 0·380 [95% CI 0·186–0·575]) and receive more recommendations (0·391 [0·242–0·540]) than local authority providers. These findings are robust to model specification and consistent over the full analysed period. Further, we found provisional evidence that local authority Ofsted ratings are negatively correlated with the percentage of for-profit outsourcing, suggesting that poorly performing local authorities tend to outsource a greater amount of their services than well performing local authorities. InterpretationOur findings are of considerable concern given the focus of these services on society's most vulnerable service users. However, caution is needed in terms of regulating the sector going forward, as the role of for-profit providers cannot be replaced without substantial coordination and long-term planning. FundingThe John Fell Fund and the Carlsberg Foundation.

Outsourcing and children's social care: A longitudinal analysis of inspection outcomes among English children's homes and local authorities

Most residential children's social care services in England, including children's homes, are operated by for-profit companies, but the implications of this development are not well understood. This paper aims to address this gap by undertaking the first longitudinal and comprehensive evaluation of the associations between for-profit outsourcing and quality of service provision among English local authorities and children's homes. To enable investigation of the implications of outsourcing children's residential social care services, we create and analyse a novel and longitudinal dataset covering more than 13,000 children's home inspections by Ofsted (the independent regulator of children's social care in England) over a period of 7 years (2014–2021). We also investigate the association between Ofsted local authority (LA) ratings and the reliance of LAs on for-profit and third sector outsourcing of children in care placements. Our analysis shows that for-profit providers are statistically significantly more likely to be rated of lower quality than both public and third sector services. For-profit children's homes also violate a greater number of requirements and receive more recommendations compared to other ownership types. These findings are robust to model specification and consistent over the full analysed period. At LA level, we find provisional evidence that LA Ofsted ratings are negatively correlated with the percentage of for-profit outsourcing, suggesting that LAs which outsource a greater amount of their children in care placements perform less well than those which do not. These findings are of significant concern given the focus of these services on society's most vulnerable service users. However, caution is needed in terms of regulating the sector going forward, as the role of for-profit provision cannot be replaced without substantial coordination and long-term planning.

Interventions in child welfare: A Swedish inventory

AbstractIn Swedish child welfare, there are no mandatory guidelines on what interventions to use. Local authorities are able to set their own criteria for implementing or designing interventions. We carried out a survey to identify interventions in use in Children's Social Services and Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Care in Sweden. A total of 102 interventions were stated to have been in use, with between 31 and 45 different interventions for each of the four different child welfare populations. Of the 102 interventions, 56 were designed outside Sweden and later imported. Only 27 interventions were supported with some kind of research evidence. About half of the interventions targeted the child. Possible implications for practice and research are discussed.

Can public‐private innovation partnerships improve public services? Evidence from a synthetic control approach

AbstractPublic‐Private Innovation (PPI) Partnerships can generate innovative approaches to improving public services. However, incomplete contract theories point to difficulties in making public‐private collaborations work effectively and efficiently. Drawing on these theories, we analyze the transfer of the management of a children's social services department in a large metropolitan government in England to an “improvement partnership” between the local government and two private firms. Using a synthetic control method approach, we find little evidence of improved health or educational outcomes for looked after children during the years following the creation of the partnership. However, there appears to be an increase in the costs of providing children's social services, which documentary evidence suggests may be attributable to weak contract management capacity, difficulties embedding performance monitoring, and additional expenditures on the partnership's reform programme. Our findings therefore highlight that effective supervision of PPI partnerships is essential for making them a success.

Psychopathological and Psychosocial Risk Profile, Styles of Interaction and Mentalization of Adolescent and Young Mother-Infant Dyads.

This study examined the psychopathological and psychosocial risk profile and the quality of mother–infant interaction in 98 adolescent and young mother–infant dyads. At their infant’s age of 3 months, mothers filled in a socio-demographic form and completed a test battery: EPDS for depression, STAY-I for anxiety, PSI-SF for parenting stress, MPSS for social support, AAI for maternal attachment and reflective functioning, CECA for adverse childhood experiences, Care-Index and Mind-mindedness coding system for mother–infant interaction. Results showed that motherhood in adolescence was associated with several psychosocial risk factors. Adolescent and young mothers have depression (25%), anxiety (29%) and insecure attachment (65%), with low reflective functioning, of whom 18% have disorganized attachment. A total of 54% of the mothers had at least one adverse childhood experience. Furthermore, adolescent mothers had low sensitivity and mind-mindedness and high intrusiveness, and their infant had low responsiveness and high passive behaviors. Mothers under 18 have experienced more sexual abuse, are more likely to be single and have been followed by child social services more than mothers aged 18–21. Adolescent mothers have a high-risk psychopathological and psychosocial profile that affects their ability to mentalize and build an adequate relationship with the child. It appears to be important to support the adolescent mother–child relationship.

Seizing the opportunity: the emergence of shared leadership during the deployment of an integrated performance management system

BackgroundPerformance management systems have been introduced in health and social services institutions to improve organizational performance, supporting the emergence of new management behaviors that are more rooted in collaborative management practices. This study aims to understand how different leadership styles emerge through the implementation of a performance management system and its related tools, and how these can foster distributed leadership.MethodsOver two years, the implementation of an integrated performance management system supporting the integration of social services for children, youth, and families was studied at a recently merged Canadian healthcare organization. Qualitative analysis of data collected from 15 interviews, 3 focus groups, and over 350 h of non-participant observation was conducted.ResultsThe results show that leadership evolved to adapt to the context of organizational integration and was no longer confined to a single manager. Transformational leadership was needed to encourage the emergence of a new integrated performance management system and new behaviors among middle managers and team members. Transactional leadership was legitimized through the use of a status sheet when the integration project did not deliver the expected results. Both transformational and transactional leadership paved the way to distributed leadership, which in turn promoted collaborative practices associated with activities in control rooms and dialogue stemming from the status sheets. Distributed leadership among team members made a difference in the outcome of the integration project, which became a driver of collaboration.ConclusionsThe integrated performance management system and the use of its tools can help renew leadership in health and social service organizations. The results lend credence to the importance of distributed leadership in promoting collaborative practices to improve services for children, youth, and families. The results also highlight how various leadership styles can contribute to the emergence of distributed leadership over time.