Research and Evaluation

 

Working Together 2006 placed a responsibility on Safeguarding Children Boards to ‘monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of what is done by the Local Authority and Board Partners, individually and collectively, to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and advise them of ways to improve.’

 

In response to this, Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board (SSCB) developed a safeguarding evaluation programme.  The aims of this were to:

 

Further information about some of the current and previous projects can be found below:

 

 

 

 

1. Evaluation of Child Protection Conferences, including:

 

 

2. Section 11 audit: to ensure that organisations are compliant with section 11 of the Children Act 2004.

 

3. A review of care pathway process for children with disabilities.

 

 

 

Local Safeguarding Children Boards have a duty to undertake publicity campaigns with the public and with professionals. In light of this, and as a recommendation of Child D Serious Case Review a multi-agency publicity campaign was undertaken in Sheffield in Spring 2009. The evaulation report, which can be downloaded from the attachment below, examines the impact of this campaign and includes the results of a consultation exercise with the public about their views about keeping children safe.

 

 

 

Sheffield children’s services are based across seven areas, which are called Service Districts. In each area there are:

 

All families will come into contact with universal services. Some families will have contact with universal services and MAST professionals. Others may be involved with these services and also have a social worker.

 

The SSCB safeguarding evaluation programme has been cited as an example of current practice by C4EO (Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services)

 

Each evaluation aimed to understand how well agencies work together and share information and whether staff felt confident and supported when working with children and young people in relation to safeguarding issues.

 

Three Service District areas have been evaluated:

 

The results from Hillsborough/Upper Don and Parsons Cross/Ecclesfield were summarised within the 2008 – 2009 annual report (pages 40 to 47). The Arbourthorne/Manor/Darnall service district summary is below as a separate document.

 

Following a review, in August 2009, the Service District evaluations will no longer continue as the information will be collected in other ways.

 

 

 

To gain a better understanding of parents’ experiences at Child Protection Conferences, a feedback questionnaire was developed. This was piloted in the first two weeks of January, 2009 when parents/carers that attended a Child Protection Conference were asked if they would complete a feedback questionnaire.  The questionnaire asked parents/carers about how they felt before the conference and how the conference went.

 

The report (below) is a summary of the results and the recommendations and also gives information about what has been changed in response to the parents’ suggestions.

 

 

 

Background - In 2006, the Local Government Association published Vision for Services for Children and Young People Affected by Domestic Abuse (the vision document). Following this, the Sheffield 0 – 19+ Partnership commissioned the SSCB to undertake an analysis to identify gaps between recommendations in the national vision document and current service provision and processes for children and young people affected by domestic abuse in Sheffield.

 

Methods – Using the aims set out in the vision document, data collection tools were developed and distributed among a range of organisations likely to have contact with children and young people affected by domestic abuse. The response rate was 31%.

 

Findings – Data collected during the review was used to provide an overview of what we know about the prevalence and impact of domestic abuse nationally and locally. The report describes positive developments identified during the review, as well as areas of need. It ends with seven recommendations, linked to the gaps identified during the review. All of the recommendations have been accepted by the 0 – 19+ Partnership. A copy of the report is below.

 

 

 

The Safeguarding Specialist Advisory (telephone) Service was launched in February 2007 to increase support available to front line staff. The service responds to a wide range of enquiries from professionals. Callers were expected to have made use of these other sources, as well as referring to SafetyNet and the Integrated Practice Manual where appropriate before contacting the Advisory Service.

 

The Advisory Service operates Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.  At any one time, two advisors, from different professional backgrounds (health, social care and education safeguarding services, along with staff from the Integrated Practice Team), staff the advisory desk.

 

Three months after the launch of the Advisory Service, a review was undertaken. The results can be found below.

 

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Lucy Edwards                                                                                                

Research & Performance Officer

Lucy.Edwards@sheffield.gov.uk                               

 

Sarah Adams

Research & Performance Officer

 

Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board

Floor 2, Redvers House

Union Street

Sheffield

S1 2JQ

 

Tel: 0114 2734450

Fax: 0114 2734628