do the same thing; to hypothesise and ask circular questions – what might help, what might hinder and how we can move things forward?’
Maggie emphasises that, while protecting
children from risk remains a priority, the unit system allows a much more positive approach to supporting families. ‘We are not so hidebound by the previous
protocols and paperwork-driven approach so we can be very creative in what we do. We can ask what a family really needs and how we can achieve that. And we’ve got fi ve of us to come up with ideas.’ When Reclaiming Social Work was implemented in Hackney, it resulted in a signifi cant reduction in the number of children taken into care, with a subsequent saving in costs. Although a similar eff ect in Cambridgeshire would be welcome, Niki emphasises that this is not the primary motivation for bringing in the policy. Nor will it mean any delay in removing children from harm’s way. ‘This isn’t about doing it cheaper and it’s not about us raising our thresholds,’ she says. ‘It is about the early identifi cation of risk
14 SOCIALWORKMATTERS MAY12
and then being able to do something about it – intervening and being able to provide the right support to the family at the right time. It’s about making sure that those children who are at risk of signifi cant harm are removed quickly with all the evidence of why you need to remove them.’ Indeed, convincing the politicians
within the council of the realities of risk management has been a key factor in being
We are not so hidebound by the previous protocols and
paperwork-driven approach so we can be very creative in what we do. We can ask what a family really needs
able to introduce the regime. ‘I’m very fortunate to have both offi cer and political support in what we are trying to do here,’ says Niki. ‘It’s acknowledged in Cambridgeshire that children’s social care cannot prevent every tragedy and that these awful things do happen. But they recognise that, while we can’t eliminate that risk, we can minimise it.’ SWM