Project Description
Scaling the embedding the Reclaiming Social Work (RSW) model first developed in Hackney.
The work focusses on overcoming systemic barriers to practice and includes:
- The recruitment and development of consultant social workers who lead small, multi-RSW units trained in systemic practice, with shared case-loads and systemic case discussions.
- Implementation of a Keeping Families Together unit to support families to stay together by targeting teenagers on the edge of care.
- Reducing the administrative burden inherent within social work teams by streamlining administrative processes. This includes an RSW unit co-ordinator to free up practitioner time to spend on direct work with families.
Morning Lane Associates have worked with five local authorities to scale the model (including Derbyshire, Harrow, Hull, Southwark, Buckinghamshire), in partnership with the Tilda Goldberg Centre for Social Work and the University of Bedfordshire.
Evaluation
The DfE-funded independent evaluation published in 2017 found that:
- Training in systemic practice was significantly associated with greater worker skill, with children and families responding positively to their interactions with practitioners.
- Of the 119 children referred to the service, 79% remained at home.
- There were estimated potential cost savings of £1.3 million across the five local authorities.