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child protection

children

The tools for t

case studies and examples please look at our interactive graphic on the website at www.
communitycare.co.uk/toolsdirectwork

1 Observation
What is the technique?

edited by Judy Cooper judy.cooper@rbi.co.uk

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CareSpace debate: Whats changed in SW since Munros report http://bit.ly/v3qPDv

Which techniques and resources should be in every social workers toolkit when doing direct work with children? David Shemmings, Yvonne Shemmings, David Wilkins, Yvalia Febrer, Alice Cook, Fran Feeley and Claire Denham have put one together

After providing a series of simple instructions, take a step back and observe the interaction between a carer and child in their own home without commenting or getting involved. Carers who struggle to show sensitivity and insight to their child are more likely to be frightening, confusing and possibly abusive or neglectful. Using this technique allows you to learn more about the relationship between carer and child, especially if you feel that what you are being told does not match with the behaviour or development of the child. It can be used with any children still interested in playing with toys alongside adults, including disabled children, and any carer the child is familiar with.
What do I need?

Ideally, you need a video-camera to record the session. It is much more difficult to analyse the complexity of the interaction between a child and carer when you are relying just on your own observation skills and notes. You will also need the childs own toys and books, or provide some.
What do I do?

more from

COMMUNITYcare

CONFERENCES

Community Care Children and Families Live 2011, 16 November www.childrenandfamilieslive.co.uk

To find out more about Inform, the online resource to help professionals make, and evidence, their decisions, email kim. poupart@rbi.co.uk

he Munro Review highlighted that the only way to create a child-centred system was for social workers to have the time and the skill to undertake a great deal more direct work with children. Direct work needs to done in the right setting and involves more than asking a child How are things? Sometimes they need different media paint, clay, pen and paper, puppets, virtual reality to make sense of their wishes and feelings. We offer practical demonstrations of direct work methods each of which seeks to understand the mind of the child and the childs world. For more techniques, in-depth discussion and videos showing how to use them plus

Sit as out of the way as you can but with a clear sight of the carer and child. Do not interact with the carer or child during

www.communitycare.co.uk 10 November 2011

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