One of the most important reasons why we come into working with children and families is because we all want the best outcomes for them. Sometimes, this can lead to differences of opinion of how this can be best achieved.
Working with neglect often raises debate about the level of need families are experiencing because neglect can be prone to subjectivity and bias, complex and intergenerational. A healthy safeguarding system should have a culture of welcoming respectful challenge across the multi-agency professional network.
The Plymouth Safeguarding Children Partnership Case Resolution Protocol can help us do this because it sets out the different stages of conversation we can have with each other from frontline practitioners through to senior and strategic managers. You can find the Protocol HERE and below are a few useful tips and principles that will help us have the most effective discussions and remain child focused.
The Importance of Confident Humility
Succussful resolution of differences requires a balance of confidence and humility. It’s useful for us to feel confident and believe in our experience and skills. At the same time we need to appreciate that no one knows all the answers, that different perspectives will add depth and understanding to a situation and that we can all get it wrong at times. So, occupy the space between being confident and humble and enter conversations prepared to listen and think differently.
Emotions Propel Action
We are human beings first, professionals second and so emotions can propel us into action. Our passion for wanting the best for children may show itself as anger or outrage. Likewise we may start feeling defensive or frustrated and its easy for children to get lost in such emotionally driven conversations. Take a moment, reflect and connect to the fact that children will need us to avoid blame and remain calm in our conversations.
Be Evidenced Based
When discussing differences try to be as evidenced based as possible. For example, be prepared to share the reasons why certain decisions have been made and be clear about the specific risk/harm you feel isn’t being addressed. A useful question to help start a conversation is, ‘Can you help me understand why that decision was made?’ It’s also essential for everyone involved in a professional difference to be collaborative….ask yourself what can you or your agency do to be part of the solution and way forward for the child/family?