'The magic is in the co-production': a case study of transforming child protection systems in the UK

Objective: The study was an evaluation of an innovative child protection transformation project in a local authority in the North West of England in which service users were viewed as experts and engaged in co-designing... [ view full abstract ]

Objective: The study was an evaluation of an innovative child protection transformation project in a local authority in the North West of England in which service users were viewed as experts and engaged in co-designing alternative, locally determined interventions in partnership with professionals. The research analysed the impact for children and young people, families and professionals as well as the impact on costs. Methods: The evaluation utilised multi-methods. Quantitative data for 20 case families, collected by children’s services, police, health and education agencies, was analysed and compared with data for 20 families receiving traditional child protection services. This was accompanied by longitudinal tracking of the 20 case families over two years based on case file analysis, observation, and interviews with children, young people, parents, carers and professionals. Results: Achieved outcomes included reductions in the number of children going into care, reductions in the number of children on child protection or child in need plans and reductions in the number of referrals to child protection services. Reduced levels of crime, improved physical and mental health and reduced numbers of exclusions and unauthorised absence from school were also achieved. 

Conclusions: The project’s holistic, whole family, intensive approach broke down traditional barriers between child protection and family support and child and adult services. Key strengths included working in partnership with parents and carers to develop successful trusting relationships and building on family and community assets to enable sustainability. While positive outcomes and cost reductions were achieved for a small number of case families, transforming child protection services in this way on a larger scale will take time and commitment and would require a cultural shift in the way relationships between the state and families and communities are viewed as well as a rethinking of the traditional child/parent/professional relationship.