The Chief Social Worker The public face of social work Leading a unifying approach to practice Influence reform and strengthen child and family social work (quality assurance) Promote excellent social work Challenge systems and processes in the way Report to lead members, chief executive

Background to CSW Birmingham first LA to establish role & team Established model in other jurisdictions – New Zealand, Scotland, Australia (Victoria) Reviews, government reports, scrutiny The culture of Birmingham – ‘missing risk’ or risk averse? LCSB, partner agencies, public and political expectations – Practice Leadership is key

Right service, right time  When determining the level of need, always put yourself in the child’s place!  Descriptors of 4 levels of need remain unchanged.  You may help identify the need and help respond to meet that need.

Practice Tensions Privacy of family and State intervention Dual emphasis of child protection/ individual rights and family welfare support/ collectivism Demands from society to ‘get it right’ Family led models and trust? Public and political confidence? Emerging practice issues –CSE, missing, radicalisation –Strengths and asset based approaches (Children's Act, Care Act, MCA); relationship based, family systemic, signs of safety

Leadership and vision Our new operating model  Child-focused and family-led  Practice informed - know what works  Relentless focus on low case loads Supervision – group and individual Social work health checks (Culture) Human rights at the centre (UNcRC) Practice, practice, practice

International Federation of social work Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work. Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing (IFSW, 2014).

PSW role and function A core aim of the principal child and family social worker role is to ensure strategic direction and decision-making is informed by the realities of social work practice. Thus, a feedback loop from front-line practice and front-line practice management to the senior management team and back again links the real-life experience of those who deliver and manage social work with those on the receiving end of practice. (Stanley & Russell, 2014)

Turning a tanker Culture is everything A key function of good child welfare management and leadership is to create a strong vision, develop a culture of high performance, and strengthen organizational stability and confidence (Connolly & Smith, 2010)

Chief Social Work Team Chief Social Worker Tony Stanley Principal Social Workers Mandy Hope (NWC) – MASH Jeannette Harvey (East) – Adoptions/ fostering Helen Bhatti (South) – Children with disabilities Practice Evaluation / Family Group Conferencing Lisa Gunstone Practice Guidance & complaints / compliments Niall Macauley and Karen Holland