1. Introduction Social workers must sometimes make very difficult judgements in relation to the safety of children. In order to fulfil this task they need all the relevant information. Relevant information includes hearing the views of service users and incorporating this into the decision making processes This research was about how Midlothian Council could learn from its service users and practitioners in order to improve participation within its child protection systems. IMPROVING SERVICE USER ENGAGEMENT IN CHILD PROTECTION IN MIDLOTHIAN: EXPLORING SERVICE USER AND PRACTITIONER PERSPECTIVES Scott Hunter, Planning Officer, Children & Families, Midlothian Council Advisor: Janice McGhee, Senior Lecturer, University of Edinburgh Process Information was gathered from 3 sources: 3 Focus groups with 32 practitioners from the local authority practice team, residential care home and children’s centre A review of the transcripts of family interviews carried out by the child protection committee to gauge families perceptions of their experience of the child protection process A review of the literature surrounding participation in child protection Defining the tiered approach to child protection in order to set the context for Statutory Child Protection within Children's Services. Conclusions 1.This study supports previous research showing that effective engagement leads to better protection of children 2.Effective engagement is based on sound working relationships between Social Workers and service users 3.Effective working relationships are based on good social work skills being used consistently and at key points in the decision making process Acknowledgments Sue Brunton, Ann Robson, Joan Griffiths Christine Schaffer, Children and Families practitioners who attended the focus groups, Fionna Miskelly, Janice McGhee & the PRP staff from the University of Edinburgh Research Questions 1.What participation frameworks are currently used by practitioners? 2.To what extent is service user participation consistent across Midlothian? 3.What changes within Midlothian Child Protection can be identified as a result of service user information? Findings Practitioners and families identify some common barriers to engagement including: Changes in key relationships promote a lack of trust A lack of accessible information at the right times can alienate people Interpreting dissatisfaction with service provision as resistance or non engagement The quality of relationship between the family and the Social Worker is key to effective intervention and a positive service user perception of their experience of services. This experience is built on good social work practice at key times which is influenced by established humanist and anti discriminatory theories for example: Remaining empathetic and genuine through investigations Helping service users explore their difficulties at the time of registration Enabling service users to set achievable goals at the time of formulating the child protection plan The Local Authority Context & Statutory Child Protection