In 2017, the Contextual Safeguarding programme (CSP) began partnering with local authorities to begin testing the Contextual Safeguarding (CS) framework in practice. This project was the first systematic attempt at evaluating the extent of the programme’s reach and impact. The Reach and Impact (R&I) workstream aimed to evidence the value that the CSP adds in terms of influencing policy and practice in response to extra-familial harm (EFH). Below is one of the case studies from the Reach and Impact Project. This case study describes how Contextual Safeguarding has influenced local systems and practice to improve the lives of young people experiencing or at risk of extra-familial harm. Names and some details have been changed to preserve young people’s anonymity.
What was the vision for Contextual Safeguarding?
Located in the middle of England, Birmingham City Council is the largest local authority in Europe. High levels of serious youth violence and child exploitation significantly impact on communities in Birmingham. However, it was recognised that statutory responses to risk of extra-familial hard (EFH) need to improve. Contextual Safeguarding (CS) provided a framework that challenged existing processes and practice and enabled services to respond in an innovative but constructive way. CS shifts the focus from where the young person ‘fits’ in statutory processes to what services can do to safeguard young people against risk in the community. CS approaches support the input of parents and carers and community groups, whose presence has previously been missing from safeguarding responses.
What has been put in place?
CS is a priority area for Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership (BSCP), as set out in the current Annual Report and Business Improvement Plan. A CS Board has been set up to develop a Birmingham-wide CS strategy. The CS Board works closely with a learning and development sub-group to develop bespoke training to steer CS practice in responses to the exploitation of children and young people.
Birmingham Children’s Trust (BCT) are responsible for the delivery of children’s social care services. In October 2019, BCT launched a specialist safeguarding hub called Empower-U. BCT’s Children’s Advice & Support Service (CASS) is the primary referral mechanism to Empower-U. Where extra-familial risk on referral is identified as high, a multi-agency strategy discussion is requested, and medium or low risk referrals will be discussed at Empower-U morning triage meetings. A complex strategy meeting will be held when multiple young people are identified.
A multi-agency safeguarding hub team is embedded within Empower-U. A Head of Service for CS was established to lead the hub. Empower-U draws upon CS to target exploitation through multi-agency intervention to target contexts of concern and supporting children and young people via positive activities. Empower-U have a wider remit is to support area social care teams identify EFH, develop peer mapping and location assessments as well as support individual young people.
BCT have introduced child exploitation, child sexual exploitation and missing practice guidance and associated
toolkits, each drawing upon CS theory and practice.
What were the challenges?
Raising awareness of CS across such a large workforce is challenging. The Covid-19 pandemic restrictions impacted upon the completion of the CS strategy and interrupted the planned Annual Safeguarding Practitioners Conference on CS. The restrictions also delayed engagement work with parents and carers within their communities.
What were the key mechanisms of change?
BCT had been on an improvement journey since December 2018. Recent reports by Ofsted have emphasised the effectiveness of Empower-U referral and assessment processes, multi-agency specialist responses to EFH, and the quality of direct work supporting children and young people at risk of or experiencing exploitation. The work of Empower-U hub has helped promote a change in culture among multi-agency and social care professionals in how they respond to EFH, including serious youth violence and child exploitation. Empower-U is introducing forums for young people affected by EFH to support their meaningful participation in developing the service offer. A framework for participation and consultation is being developed and youth ambassadors will have a key role going forward in this. Empower-U have undertaken extensive outreach work with community interest companies and parents or carers, who are considered safeguarding partners. The aim is to provide support and advocacy opportunities for community members impacted by EFH and further develop CS responses through consultation on the needs of the community and training opportunities for community
stakeholders.