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A Systemic Approach to Improving the Engagement of Fathers in Child Safeguarding
Author(s) -
Scourfield Jonathan,
Smail Pat,
Butler Dan
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
child abuse review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1099-0852
pISSN - 0952-9136
DOI - 10.1002/car.2333
Subject(s) - safeguarding , austerity , context (archaeology) , public relations , intervention (counseling) , child protection , bureaucracy , face (sociological concept) , psychology , political science , sociology , nursing , medicine , politics , paleontology , social science , law , biology
Increasing the involvement of fathers in child safeguarding is an issue which has seen relatively little practice innovation in mainstream services. This article concerns a bold attempt to improve practice in this domain through a systemic approach. Key findings are presented from an evaluation of a Fatherhood Institute project in six English local authorities. The intervention was positively received and the self‐efficacy of children's services staff improved on most measures as a result of training. However, not all planned aspects of the project could be implemented. The article reflects on the challenge of achieving practice change in these areas – both child safeguarding and engaging fathers – where established practices are deep‐rooted. There is also reflection on the challenge of public service innovation in a context of austerity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. ‘A bold attempt to improve practice in this domain through a systemic approach’Key Practitioner Messages Improving father engagement requires cultural change in organisations. Achieving change in child safeguarding is challenging in the face of austerity and competing demands. A systemic approach involves work with managers, as well as practitioners, and improvement of bureaucratic systems, as well as face‐to‐face interaction. Training needs to focus on skills, as well as knowledge.‘Training needs to focus on skills as well as knowledge’