1、DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSE MODEL,Engaging with families at riskto promotechild welfare and protectionPaul Harrison, National SpecialistChildrens Services,Each year the HSE:,Deals with around 20,000 reports of child welfare and protection concernsDeals with 9,000 new cases of child abuse and neglectHas 5,
2、000 children in careBrings 700 children into careProvides or funds 2,000 family support servicesSupports 3,000 foster carers,Interventions tend to be:,Episodic and event-drivenFocused on riskCrisis orientedOverwhelming for practitioners and punitive for families,Sometimes it feels like.,A challenge:
3、,“.it has to be acknowledged that not all children who come to the attention of the child protection services are in dangerous circumstances and the development of a less intimidating and more proportionate response would be beneficial.” (OMCYA, 2008),National policy direction:,A whole child/whole s
4、ystem approachA focus on better outcomesTo engage in reflective practice, andTo direct and evaluate services against this strategic direction (Agenda ChildrensServices:2007),Agenda for Change: a strategy for supporting children and families,A mandate from management at the highest level for staff to
5、 do things differently than beforeProactive, strengths-based, engagement with families (HSE, 2008),A radical change of course.,Traditional child protection approach,Is confined to high riskScreens out many cases at the point of entryMany cases come back later when problems have worsenedInterventions
6、 tend to be fault-finding and inquisitorialFocused on getting families through the systemFamily support is bolted onto a child protection system, not integrated,A differential response:,Distinguishes between situations where children are seriously at risk and those where children are vulnerable and
7、are likely to benefit from a more welfare-orientated, therapeutic approach (OMCYA, 2008),Differential Response Model:,Takes a twin-track approach by remaining focused on child safety while adopting a strengths-based approach that is focused on the needs of the family as a wholeDoes away with the got
8、cha mentalityApplies to cases of low to moderate riskFocuses on restoring family equilibrium,Features of DRM(1),Not overly concerned with categorising cases into forms of abuse and neglectNot too worried if abuse is confirmed or notMakes the assumption that most parents want to do the best for their
9、 childrenConcentrates on improving family functioning & child well-being,Features of DRM (2),Maintains a strong focus on child safety but increases emphasis on engaging children and families in the processBuilds on existing strengths and on increasing family capacityProvides more customised response
10、s,Features of DRM (3),Provides more options based on need, not just safety and riskInvolves a wider range of informal and formal supportsVoluntary and community services encouraged to remain involved and to hold the risk a little longer,Less dropping the hot potato.,More passing the baton.,Proven benefits of DRM,Child safety remains uncompromisedFewer reports of maltreatmentFamilies like itSocial workers support itIt costs less in the long runFewer investigationsLess court involvementMore family involvementMore families served,paul.harrisonhse.ie,
