What’s happening with the research? The researchers have now undertaken interviews with 10 Safeguarders from across Scotland, and just have a couple of follow-up interviews to complete. Thanks so much to everyone who has participated – the project wouldn’t be possible without your support. The Safeguarders who kindly agreed to take part in the research
We are delighted to have been contacted by several Safeguarders who have expressed interest in taking part in the research, and we are really looking forward to meeting everyone and getting started. Recruitment for the project is still ongoing, so if you are a current Safeguarder and would like to get involved, then please do
Watch the research team talk about the project in this short video : Why this research? There is currently very little research on how Safeguarders form their judgements and conclusions, analyse information, engage with children and families and formulate their recommendations. The project aims to address this gap by exploring Safeguarders’ sense-making process in
In this project, we adopted an “unfolding” methodology. In other words, the research was not underpinned by a fixed, hierarchical model, but by an approach that was able to respond to and reshape itself in light of what we encountered through the research process. This approach also recognises that we generate data through our methods
Dr Duncan Helm (Principal Investigator) A registered social worker with experience of child welfare and protection work in local authorities and in integrated services. An academic since 2003. my expertise is in child welfare and in assessment and working with risk and uncertainty. I am currently the Head of Social Work at the University of
Find out more about the project funder. The Trust is a grant-giving charity that supports innovative and pioneering Social, Medical and Religious projects, to enable human flourishing and to prevent suffering. https://www.sirhalleystewart.org.uk/
Here are some useful research papers and articles relevant to this project. This includes previous research undertaken into the role of Safeguarders, as well as articles by Dr Duncan Helm which provide an insight into the theoretical perspectives that underpin the current project. McDiarmid, C., Barry, M., Donnelly, M. and Corson, S. (2017) The Role
Want to find about more about Safeguarders and their role in the Children’s Hearings System? Useful information and resources are available on the Children 1st site: https://www.children1st.org.uk/help-for-families/safeguarders-panel/for-professionals/
Theme by the University of Stirling