Understanding what works

Lincolnshire are redesigning social work policy, procedure and practice to place Signs of Safety at the centre. They are moving to a relationship-based practice model, enabling greater consistency for families by maintaining the same, or most appropriate, key worker for each child. They are exploring how to deliver a better transition between Section 17 and early help services. This will enable the most appropriate person, who can affect change within a family, to be able to act as the family’s lead worker.

Lincolnshire are also developing practice based on Research in Practice exploring how best to intervene and support young people engaging in risky behaviour. This includes piloting a service which will support a new way of working with adolescents with risk taking behaviours to better support outcomes. The service should give families a greater level of empowerment that they say is lacking.

Lincolnshire is also creating an innovative and sustainable multi-disciplinary approach to improving academic outcomes, progress, life choices and opportunities for all Lincolnshire children in care and on the edge of care. This will be done through the development and implementation of a clearly defined strategy that will support schools to be able to nurture and promote attachment, and support foster carers to give children a thirst for learning so that education is cherished and encouraged.

Sector improvement

Lincolnshire are supporting other local authorities to implement Signs of Safety. Lincolnshire will also be part of the East Midlands Regional Improvement Alliance pilot.