7 Minute Briefing- Learning from multi agency case audit practice learning line of sight event – Teenage relationship abuse
1. Background
North Lincolnshire Children’s MARS Board hold a range of scrutiny events across different themes as part of our Scrutiny and Assurance Framework.
After a process of single agency case audits, a panel of Children’s MARS representatives and an Independent Scrutiny Officer meet with practitioners to discuss a small number of cases. We identify areas of best practice, learning and further improvement relating to multi agency practice then agree any actions.
2. Why it matters?
Teenage relationship abuse is a Children’s MARS ‘Shine a Light’ area of focus for 2022/23.
This event was an opportunity for Children’s MARS Board representatives to seek assurance as to the quality and effectiveness of multi-agency practice and how partner agencies are working to fulfill their safeguarding responsibilities. Partners were also able to explore whether there were any areas for further improvement in providing help and protection across multi agency working.
3. Good practice
• Practitioners were tenacious and were willing to deal with difficult subjects and have difficult conversations. Practitioners in the room were confident and celebrated the periods of stability for the family
• Communication between agencies was strong. All practitioners knew the family and were aware of the dynamics
• Professionals were quick to recognise adverse childhood experiences and the need to do things differently when working with past trauma
• The One Family Approach was used in action in that the child was in their family, in their school and in their community
• There was evidence of professional curiosity and the use of fewest best interventions
• In one case, school were proactive in providing support to both young people where there was teenage relationship abuse
• Communication and joint working between Children’s and Adult’s Services was positive
4. Key learning
- Practitioners would benefit from further understanding of specific interventions offered by The Blue Door, for example the Respect Programme for young perpetrators
- Research whether there are more tools and resources available for dissemination across the partnership to ensure work can be done early with young people who harm through their relationships
- The event emphasised the importance of whole family working including consideration of siblings and the wider family network
5. Next Steps
An overview of the event is presented to the Safeguarding Practice Learning and Improvement Group (SPLIG) for consideration. Actions from the event will be monitored and reviewed as part of the Children’s MARS scrutiny and assurance action plan
6. Reflect on learning
To inform your practice you can:
• Discuss this area of work with your supervisor in the context of teenage relationship abuse
• Take a look at the resources on the Children’s MARS website relating to teenage relationship abuse
7. Further information
• One Family Approach – Helping Children and Families in North Lincolnshire Document
• Safe Lives – Supporting young people in abusive relationships
• The Children’s Society – Abusive teenage relationships
• The ‘FriendsCanTell’ campaign aims to de-normalise the abuse and control that young people said are common in their relationships. Their website provides advice and support