How do we achieve sector-led accountability and improve safeguarding? One of the ways is through the use of case reviews and serious case reviews as a critical means of gaining detailed feedback. The SCIE Learning Together model takes a ‘systems approach’ to case reviews of multi-agency child protection practice. But what is a ‘systems approach’, and how can it help you in your work?
The ‘systems approach’ helps to identify the factors underlying good and poor practice. It moves past the usual ‘What happened?’ to the more useful ‘Why?
The Munro Review has recommended that case reviews of child protection practice use this approach and has recognised SCIE’s Learning Together model as leading this work in the sector.
So how does it work in principle?
A SCIE Learning Together case review provides vital feedback about current practice realities as agencies work together. It can be useful for a range of cases, including those with good outcomes.
A single case is used to give insights into the system, to work out what encourages good practice or increases likelihood of poor practice. The systems approach aims for wider, general findings rather than focusing on the specifics of the case.
As for the specifics of how such a case review is done, it usually focuses around two lead reviewers. They conduct the case review in collaboration with a ‘review team’ of local multi-agency managers. The team works with a ‘case group’ comprising the frontline practitioners who worked on the case being reviewed. Family members, friends and significant others from the community can also be part of the case group as they have firsthand experience that the review team does not have.
SCIE is developing a pool of lead reviewers who will lead case reviews using the SCIE model. For more information on the SCIE Learning Together model and to register your interest in commissioning a SCIE case review please visit http://www.scie.org.uk/children/learningtogether/index.asp
