Serious case reviews: learning to use expertise

Abstract

While undertaking an analysis of 20 serious case reviews for the Welsh Assembly Government, the authors became aware of important, largely unexplored, practice issues with implications for training, service delivery and the role of the lead professional. The reviews were studied using a 'layered reading' methodology to ensure that emerging themes were grounded entirely in the reports. In looking beyond the familiar recurring themes and practice failings, findings emerged about the use of expertise in its widest sense. The need for more skilled use of expertise was identified, from external specialists and child protection specialists, and from children, siblings and parents. Professionals from agencies who contribute less routinely to the process of safeguarding children should be consulted as experts and be empowered to play a fuller part. Consultation could often be used prior to, or in place of referral. The barrier to the collation and analysis of relevant information often appeared to be a failure to recognize and understand expertise rather than a lack of communication as often postulated in review reports. Skilled use of expertise and consultation in a coordinated manner could result in more rigorous assessments and promote greater professional trust, confidence and challenge.

Report on the implementation and evaluation of an interprofessional learning programme for inter‐agency child protection teams

“…Others have reported indications of conflict between agencies, especially at the outset of a case (see, for example, Hallet and Birchall, 1996). More recently, Brandon et al (2005) found that a failure to recognise and understand expertise was a significant barrier when collating information, rather than a lack of communication. This group also reported that professional insularity and lack of trust between professional groups were common barriers to rigorous assessment.…”

Learning from safeguarding adult reviews on self-neglect: addressing the challenge of change

“…Stanley and Manthorpe (2004), surveying different kinds of inquiry, found mixed evidence of their effectiveness in changing systems and practices. Along with others who have conducted thematic analysis of reviews (Brandon et al, 2005) they questioned whether there was sufficient energy left after report publication for translating its recommendations into action for change.…”

‘I once knew a team where all the workers called the manager ‘mother’ Some reflections on supervision within an integrated leadership and management programme

“…In children's services safeguarding issues have been at the forefront of service provision since the Victoria Climbie inquiry (Laming, 2003) and "Every Child Matters" (2003). It has been acknowledged that the study of serious case reviews in adult services has lagged behind that in children's services (Manthorpe and Martineau, 2010), although the amount of deep learning which has taken place from children's serious case reviews is open to debate (Brandon et al, 2005;Fish et al 2008;Brandon et al 2010). Manthorpe and Martineau (2010) have noted the central role of social work managers (rather than other professions) in implementing adult protection systems.…”