Improving the analysis of socio-economic context and intersectionality in Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews

Background Child maltreatment is a major public health problem with personal, social and financial implications.

In England, whenever a child dies or is seriously harmed, a Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (LSCPR) is established to consider how practice and policy may be improved.

A large international evidence base shows that families socio-economic context (SEC) and intersectional factors, such as gender, ethnicity and disability, are significant predictors of inequalities in the incidence of child maltreatment. However, the relationship between maltreatment, socio-economic factors and intersectionality is complex and contested.

LSCPRs and their predecessor, Serious Case Reviews, have been criticised for failing to include information about either SEC or intersectionality in their analyses.

The National Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel has called for greater attention to these dimensions, although no guidance has been issued.

Aim and Objectives This project aims to improve the quality of LCSPRs by developing an evidence informed understanding of the contribution that the intersectional socio-economic context of children s lives makes to incidents in which maltreatment results in serious harm or death.

The objectives are: · To identify whether socio-economic factors and intersectionality are addressed in LCSPRs · To identify how the connections between socio-economic factors, intersectionality and other factors are understood and addressed in LCSPRs · To develop and disseminate, in discussion with key stakeholders, recommendations for improving the quality of LCSPRs based on this analysis.

Design/methods The project will employ a mixed-methods design involving four stages over 18 months.

In Stage 1 (months 1-6) a quantitative content analysis of all LSCPRs (c 250) placed in the NSPCC s open access repository will be undertaken.

This will identify and categorise all occasions when socio-economic circumstances and intersectional issues are included in Reviews. In Stage 2 (months 7-12) a qualitative reflexive thematic analysis of LSCPRs will be undertaken.

Two samples will be analysed: LCSPRs which were identified as considering intersectional socioeconomic factors and LCSPRs which were identified as not considering intersectional socioeconomic factors in Stage 1.

This will examine how socio-economic factors and intersectionality are discussed, and in cases where socio-economic factors and intersectionality are not discussed, identify factors that should, at least, trigger discussion in a Review.

In Stage 3 (months 13-15) the project team will further analyse the meaning of the findings in consultation with parents with experience of services and relevant professionals. This will generate ideas about how Reviews should change.

In Stage 4 (months 16-18) the project team, working with key stakeholders, will develop and publish guidance and training materials for future reviewing practice.

A national final event will be held, in conjunction with Making Research Count, and dissemination will focus on a variety of relevant audiences. A final report will be produced, as well as peer reviewed articles.

Public involvement A parent with experience of children s social care will be involved throughout to support work with parents. We will establish a family engagement group who will be involved in all stages of the project. An advisory group of professional and academic experts will also be established.