Signs of Safety

What is this and what does it mean for Suffolk?

In October 2013 Suffolk Children and Young People’s Service made the decision to adopt Signs of Safety as its practice framework for all children’s services. We have a multi-year transformation programme designed to embed Signs of Safety practice built around learning and systems change - supported by strong, engaged and visible senior leaders.

But what does this mean to social workers on the ground?

At the end of our first year of implementation, we asked what difference Signs of Safety had made to them… and this is what they said:

Families are better engaged in the process of assessment and understand the concerns, and in the best examples, own the process themselves, including safety planning.
I feel more confident about risk management – supported by managers
The new supervision style reinforces SoS practice and helps co-production of next steps
It’s built on existing good practice and celebrates skills of staff
I’m proud of Suffolk’s commitment to this approach as shown through the level of investment and the recognition we’re getting from outside the county.

We’re still at the beginning of our journey. Every change we make is being informed and guided by what practitioners and families say is working well for them.

To learn more about Signs of Safety, check out their website: http://www.signsofsafety.net/

What our Social Workers have to say...

Tunde Oyeniyi

“I have been at Suffolk County Council almost 7 years and been ABE trained, completed a post qualifying specialist award in children and families with the University of East Anglia and have my Practice Educator award.”

Jade McMurray

“There’s nothing better than when you’ve been able to make those changes and support a family along their journey and to have such a positive outcome, when you’re able to step back and let them do it for themselves.”

Victoria Morphew

“Working in Suffolk County Council you cross paths with lots of other professionals; everyone is really friendly and all want to build really good working relationships. You have a great network of contacts and support here.”

Leon Gillings

“I chose social work because I liked the idea how helping people whilst also being accredited as a professional. I wanted a career that was meaningful, full of challenge and diversity and that I could be proud to be a part of.”

Cheryl Robinson

"I am proud to be a Social Worker in Suffolk, making a real difference to Children and their families lives."

Charnine De'ath

“Our role is about getting people to see that there is something better out there for them and their children and that they are able to make the positive changes for themselves with the support of us and their family & friends - We empower families and give them the confidence to make changes”