Exploring how “risk” can be conceptualised and addressed to overcome barriers to implementing family-led innovations in child protection social work

ApproachThis paper presents the findings of a realist synthesis of data from an implementation evaluation. The evaluation focused on the introduction of a family-led way of carrying out child protection decision-making based on Family Group Conferences in seven English Local Authorities.PurposeThe impact of risk-aversion and professional anxiety in child protection social work in the UK has been the subject of research and practice reviews for the last two decades. However, the way in which this impacts efforts to improve child protection practice, and for social workers to practice in a more strengths-based way is under-researched. The purpose of this paper is to explore how risk and professional anxiety impact on implementation of family-led approaches.FindingsUsing the example of this innovation, the paper highlights how concepts of ‘risk’ and the related anxiety about risk within child protection can be a barrier to implementation, and how strategies used by implementation leaders to manage feelings about risk can help to support effective implementation.Originality/valueImplementation research in children’s social care has not systematically explored how a risk-averse culture and linked professional anxiety can impact on efforts to change practice. The use of realist synthesis helped to highlight the strategies taken by key implementation leaders to overcome these barriers, and provide useful insights for future implementation efforts.Implications for policy and practice- Risk and professional anxiety were seen to interact with implementation efforts, meaning there is a need for implementation plans to include strategies to mitigate their impact.- Changes in policy are key to reassure local authorities and frontline practitioners that innovations are in line with how they are expected to work, but there also needs to be cultural change led by senior leaders.- Without clear policy and senior leader support, the introduction of family-led ways of working are likely to falter due to professional anxiety.