OHF implemented the Signs of Safety as a practice approach in 2006. The Signs of Safety approach to child protection casework was developed through the 1990s in Western Australia. It was created by Dr Andrew Turnell and Steve Edwards, in collaboration with over 150 West Australian child protection workers (CPWs), and is now utilised in jurisdictions in the USA, Canada, the UK, Sweden, The Netherlands, New Zealand and Japan. The approach focuses on the question “How can the worker build partnerships with parents and children in situations of suspected or substantiated child abuse and still deal rigorously with the maltreatment issues?” This strengths-based and safety-focused approach to child protection work is grounded in partnership >and collaboration. It expands the investigation of risk to encompass strengths and Signs of Safety that can be built upon to stabilise and strengthen a child’s and family’s situation.

A format for undertaking comprehensive risk assessment, assessing both danger and strengths/safety, is incorporated within the one-page Signs of Safety assessment protocol. (This form is the only formal protocol used in the model). The approach is designed to be used from commencement through to case closure in order to assist professionals at all stages of the child protection process, whether they be in statutory, hospital, residential or treatment settings. This framework seeks to identify the family/whānau strengths and resources and utilise these to improve safety and manage the concerns or dangers that are identified. Searching for detail is critical. The Social Worker maintains the position that the family/whānau is capable of change and is open minded, approaching them as partners in building safety for their children and young people.

OHF uses the approach within the agency and also has two staff who are licensed to train the approach in New Zealand and internationally. To find out more about Signs of Safety go to www.signsofsafety.net