The project aims to ensure child protection practice is effective. A practice framework has been designed to address this. It is based on four principles:
- Conversations - effective communication through practicing ‘collaborative conversations’
- Thresholds - consistent decision making when assessing risk
- Change - a clear focus on the change that is needed to prevent harm
- Measure - measuring our progress towards outcomes
This framework has been developed by practitioners from Gwynedd’s Children and Supporting Families Service. The project is led by Gwynedd Council.
Dafydd Paul, Senior Manager – Safeguarding and Quality
Dafydd is Project Lead; a Registered Social Worker with over 30 years’ experience in social care. Dafydd was also involved in designing the Risk Model with Bruce Thornton. Awarded a Social Care Accolade for the Risk Model, he was awarded with a BASW Award for Innovation in Social Work in 2013. As part of the project, Dafydd has developed and delivered the training programmes and oversees the project.
Sue Adams, Child Protection Co-ordinator
Sue is a Registered Social Worker with over 35 years’ experience in children and families social care. Sue has worked in both voluntary and public sectors as a social worker, in management, consultancy and Regulation. During her career she has pursued her interest in preventative and safeguarding work. She was also a tutor on the Social Work degree course for a number of years. Sue chairs Child Protection conferences in Gwynedd and has insight into the dilemmas and challenges of day to day practice. As part of the project, Sue will be introducing the practice framework within Case Conferences.
Wendy Roberts, Practice Transformation Leader
Wendy is a Registered Social Worker with over 11 years’ experience in social care. Wendy has worked across service areas, recently focussing on services for disabled children. Wendy has undertaken research work in areas related to ‘Improving disabled children’s participation in review meetings’ and ‘The impact of Child Protection in the field of Child Disability’. As part of the project, Wendy will be undertaking the role of practice mentor. She will work 1:1 and in small groups with practitioners to embed their training into practice.