Safeguarding children expertise informs Government policy

Expertise from Manchester Metropolitan is helping to shape government policy on safeguarding children in social care.

Professor Michelle McManus appeared as an expert at a special education select committee alongside leaders from charities and government.

Prof McManus is a specialist in multi-agency safeguarding arrangements, looking at how people, systems and organisations work together to make communities and services better.

The committee heard how pressures on social care staff and staff retention meant children could often face different care workers, affecting much-needed continuity. It was also told that families are required to engage with a range of services but how a multi-agency approach can help provide better coordination and a holistic understanding of any support required.

Prof McManus told the committee of the need to understand the day-to-day experiences of children in social care but that it was not just the responsibility of any one agency.

She highlighted the pressure on social sector practitioners and the pressure of mandatory reporting adding complexity for practitioners when the focus should be on resolving wider issues in the sector and workforce.

Prof McManus said: “It’s a very important topic for the government and society to be looking at, as the system is placing an ever-increasing strain on practitioners and the expectations around their role.

“To be able to really understand the day-to-day lives of these children, we need to build from seeing safeguarding as ‘everyone’s responsibility’ to a collective one. This requires practitioners to first have the capacity, confidence and expertise to engage with the child and family.

“Then, importantly, to exchange information with other sector practitioners who have sight of that child and family to help build a more accurate picture. This ‘collective’ responsibility informs risks assessments and actions, providing a more effective and supportive response.

“I was very happy to be able to join leaders from the child safeguarding sector to be able to shine a light on the issues and opportunities so that we can contribute to the shape of future service provision.”

She was supported at parliament by Peter Wasson, Public Affairs Manager; Metropolis, the University’s policy thinktank; and her co-author for the written submission to the education committee, Research Associate Emma Ball.

Prof McManus has previously provided evidence to parliament: two written submissions published by the Women and Equalities committee, under ‘The escalation of violence against women and girls’. One submission centred on evidence regarding best practice evidence in police responses to victims of domestic violence and the other submission focussed on the perpetrators of domestic violence.