A comparative study on investigation, assessment and decision-making in child protection. Does Signs of Safety contribute to improved practice?

Signs of Safety is a model for social work with children and families at risk. The model developed in Australia and has become popular in Sweden, as in many other countries.

At the same time, the research base is uncertain both internationally and nationally: how does Signs of Safety influence practice?

The purpose of this study is to advance knowledge on how child protection work is conducted and perceived both when the model is used and when it is not.

Child protection units in municipalities that introduced the model a long time ago will be compared to units that have recently begun implementation and to units where it is not in use.

It is the first Swedish research study that explores practice and client experience for several years with this comparative approach and variety of methods.The study is based on some of the assumptions that the model expresses – and that services are hoping for – in terms of how the model affects  procedures, interventions and user participation.

To answer the questions, a variety of material is collected in six municipalities, over a period of three years.

Researchers will study the practice through ethnographic observation of tutorials, case file reviews and analysis of key indicators.

Parents and children whose case is closed during the second year of study will be interviewed on two occasions.The project responds to the call for practice- and client-oriented research in one of the social services´ most challenging areas.

It has been initiated by the social services´ management network in the Gothenburg region, which is a regional support structure for 13 municipalities. Its relevance has also been strengthened by the results of an ongoing research project on out-of-home care.

Managers, supervisors and social workers have participated in the planning of the study and the implementation will take place in collaboration between child protection units, researchers at Gothenburg Region and the University of Gothenburg.