Continued implementation of Signs of Safety

To continue to commission Advanced Signs of Wellbeing and Advanced Signs of Safety training for the next two years from Tracey Hill who is Durham's Signs of Safety Consultant. There is a current PAR in place which expires at the end of May 2024 (PAR 22-NO22).

Signs of Safety is a model of practice based on the use of Strength Based interview techniques and draws upon techniques from Solution Focused Brief therapy. It aims to work collaboratively and in partnership with families and children to conduct risk assessments and produce action plans for increasing safety, and reducing risk and danger by focusing on strengths, resources, and networks that the family have. The model is used widely across Europe, North America, and Australasia, and in 2017 was adopted as Ireland's national framework for child protection assessment and practice. In 2018 Children and Young People's Services began the implementation of Signs of Safety as our model of practice to support effective social work practice with children, young people and families. Implementation was expected to support: • Improvements in relationships between parents and practitioners • Greater involvement of families • Improvements in practitioner's experiences, skills, and job satisfaction