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Social Work Practices Research Report DFE-RR233 Social Work Practices: Report of the National Evaluation Nicky Stanley, Helen Austerberry, Andy Bilson, Nicola Farrelly, Katrina Hargreaves, Katie Hollingworth, Shereen Hussein, Anne Ingold, Cath Larkins, Jill Manthorpe, Julie Ridley & Vicki Strange University of Central Lancashire Institute of Education and King's College London This research report was commissioned before the new UK Government took office on 11 May 2010. As a result the content may not reflect current Government policy and may make reference to the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) which has now been replaced by the Department for Education (DfE). The views expressed in this report are the authors‟ and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department for Education. Acknowledgments We are grateful to all children, young people, parents, carers and practitioners who have assisted with this research as participants and respondents as well as to those who have facilitated data collection in the pilot and comparison sites and at national levels. We thank Department for Education staff and members of the Evaluation Advisory Group for their support. The design above was contributed by young people from the evaluation‟s Young People‟s Advisory Group. Contents Evaluation of Social Work Practices: Executive Summary ............................................... i Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 The Background .............................................................................................................. 1 The Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 4 Aims and Methodology ................................................................................................ 4 Constructing Samples and Collecting Data ................................................................. 5 Analysis ....................................................................................................................... 9 Limitations ................................................................................................................... 9 The Changing Context of the Evaluation ....................................................................... 10 Report Coverage ........................................................................................................... 11 Chapter 1 –SWP Pilot Commissioning and Start-up ..................................................... 12 1.1 Commissioning SWPs ............................................................................................. 12 1.1.1 Local Authorities‟ Commissioning Processes ................................................... 12 1.1.2 Developing Bids ................................................................................................ 14 1.1.3 Payment by Results .......................................................................................... 15 1.1.4 Selecting a Successful SWP Bid ...................................................................... 15 1.2 SWP Start-Up .......................................................................................................... 17 1.2.1 Staff Transfer and Recruitment ......................................................................... 17 1.2.2 Size, Complexity and Location of Cohort .......................................................... 18 1.2.3 Transferring the Cohort ..................................................................................... 19 1.2.4 Children‟s and Young People‟s Choices about Transfer ................................... 20 1.2.5 Parents‟ Choices about Transfer ...................................................................... 23 1.2.6 Transferring Case Files .................................................................................... 23 1.3. SWP Offices and Equipment .................................................................................. 24 Chapter 1 Summary Points ........................................................................................... 25 Chapter 2 - The SWP Pilots in Operation ...................................................................... 27 2.1 Pilot Staff ................................................................................................................. 27 2.1.1 Key Characteristics of the SWP Workforce ...................................................... 27 2.1.2 Staff Views on SWP Ethos ............................................................................... 31 2.2 In-house SWP ......................................................................................................... 34 2.2.1 Benefits and Challenges of being In-house ...................................................... 35 2.3 Staff Involvement in Decision Making ...................................................................... 35 2.3.1 Advantages and Disadvantages of Flatter Management Structure and Staff Involvement in Decision Making ................................................................................ 36 2.3.2 Financial Decision Making ................................................................................ 38 2.4 Advantages and Challenges of Devolving Budget Responsibilities to Front-line Staff ...................................................................................................................................... 39 2.4.1 Multi-disciplinary Teams ................................................................................... 39 2.4.2 Small Teams ..................................................................................................... 40 2.4.3 A Personalised, Flexible Service ...................................................................... 41 2.4.4 Advantages and Disadvantages of Offering a Personal, Flexible and Accessible Service ....................................................................................................................... 42 2.4.5 Reducing Bureaucracy and Paperwork ............................................................ 42 2.5 Support for the Pilots ............................................................................................... 44 2.6 Children‟s and Young People‟s Participation in the Pilots ....................................... 45 2.6.1 Children‟s and Young People‟s Understanding of SWPs .................................. 46 2.6.2 Young People, Participation and Governance .................................................. 47 2.7 Future of the Pilots .................................................................................................. 51 Chapter 2 Summary Points ........................................................................................... 52 Chapter 3 - Other Perspectives on SWP Operations .................................................... 54 3.1 Other Professionals‟ Perspectives........................................................................... 54 3.1.1 Other Professionals‟ Understandings of the Pilots ............................................ 54 3.1.2 SWP Practice and Planning .............................................................................. 54 3.1.3 Implementation of Plans ................................................................................... 55 3.1.4 Quality of Direct Work with Children and Families ............................................ 55 3.1.5 Stability, Accessibility and Communication ....................................................... 57 3.1.6 Impact of SWPs on Local Authorities and Other Agencies ............................... 58 3.1.7 Perceptions of Children‟s and Young People‟s Satisfaction with SWPs ........... 59 3.1.8 Summary of Other Professionals‟ Perspectives ................................................ 59 3.2 IRO Perceptions ...................................................................................................... 59 3.2.1 Children‟s and Young People‟s Attendance and Participation in Reviews ........ 60 3.2.2 Implementation and Follow-Up of Plans ........................................................... 60 3.2.3 IRO Views of Direct work with Children and Young People, Families and Carers ................................................................................................................................... 61 3.2.4 IRO Perceptions of Continuity and Stability ...................................................... 61 3.2.5 IRO Perceptions of Accessibility of Social Workers .......................................... 62 3.2.6 Summary of IRO Perceptions ........................................................................... 63 3.3 Local Authority Commissioners‟ Perspectives on the Pilots .................................... 63 3.3.1 Identified Benefits ............................................................................................. 63 3.3.2 Identified Risks ................................................................................................. 64 3.3.3 Pilot Finances ................................................................................................... 65 3.3.4 Impact of SWPs on Children‟s Services ........................................................... 65 3.3.5 Impact on Commissioning ................................................................................ 66 3.3.6 Future Prospects for SWPs .............................................................................
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