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The provision and experience of adoption support services in Wales: perspectives from adoption agencies and adoptive parents
- Authors:
- OTTAWAY Heather, HOLLAND Sally, MAXWELL Nina
- Publisher:
- Cardiff University
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 127
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
This is a report of a research study on the current structure and provision of adoption support services throughout Wales. It explores the views of local authorities and voluntary adoption agencies regarding the availability and effectiveness of adoption support services, and how adoptive families’ support needs can be appropriately met through the new National Adoption Service Framework. It also examines adoptive families’ current experiences of assessment and provision of adoption support services in Wales, and their views about how their needs can most appropriately be met. The report draws on the findings of an online survey and follow-up telephone interviews with adoption agencies and an online survey of adoptive families. The report makes a series of recommendations, including increasing access to and provision of specialist training for all social workers involved in the adoption of children; considering the development of dedicated adoption support teams in each region and streamlining the adoption request process across the regions; increasing the visibility of information about adoption support services; reviewing the framework for the assessment of adoption support needs; implementing a consistent approach for reviewing adoption support plans across the regions; improving data collection; considering the development of a specialist multi-disciplinary service in Wales for children with complex multi-dimensional needs; and increasing investment in the services and further developing the role of the voluntary sector. (Edited publisher abstract)
The impact of staff training in VIG for professionals and families
- Authors:
- MAXWELL Nina, REES Alyson, THOMAS Sue
- Publisher:
- Cardiff University. CASCADE
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 69
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
This report examines the impact of Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) training on professionals and families, drawing on findings from the VIG Service which has been embedded within Children’s Services in Cornwall, a unitary authority in England. VIG is a relationship-based intervention that aims to increase carer sensitivity to their child’s emotional needs. To do this, VIG uses video feedback to develop carer’s awareness of the child’s signals and to reinforce appropriate, sensitive responses. The findings revealed that the decision to become a VIG practitioner was associated with alignment between VIG values and principles and personal beliefs, while ability to complete VIG training was associated with wider practical considerations. These included the ability to subsume training into the current workload and efficient use of IT. While professionals enjoyed practising VIG, it was evident that this was an adjunct to their main role and could, at times, be placed on pause due to high caseloads. The extent to which VIG is appropriate for families involved in child protection produced mixed views. There was acknowledgment that families could exploit VIG to adopt a blinkered view or promote an inaccurate portrayal of their circumstances. It was also emphasised that the VIG model focuses on micro-moments of interaction and excludes wider systemic considerations. Conversely, some professionals, carers and children welcomed an independent professional who could offer a new perspective on the family. Carers valued VIGs unobtrusive, collaborative approach. Carers perceived the professionals positively and felt empowered within the process. Carer accounts revealed the dance-like interactions with carers leading in their observations and reflections with professionals guiding them through the process. Finally, VIGs unobtrusiveness meant that children did not feel that they were being observed but rather children and young people valued the time they spent with their carer involved in shared activities. (Edited publisher abstract)
Evaluation of the Video Interaction Guidance service, Cornwall Council
- Authors:
- MAXWELL Nina, REES Alyson, WILLIAMS Anne
- Publisher:
- Cardiff University. CASCADE
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 40
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
This evaluation report presents findings for the Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) Service Evaluation (January to October 2016). VIG is a technique in which a practitioner uses video clips of authentic situations to enhance communication between children and people close to them (AVIG.UK). During the evaluation period, output and impact data has been collated and telephone interviews have been conducted with clients and referrers for all cases that had completed the Video Interaction Guidance intervention during the period February to March 2016. This period was selected on the basis of time considerations, as follow-up interviews had to be undertaken with clients six months after they had completed the intervention and also within the confines of the evaluation period (January to December 2016). Findings are structured according to the research outline provided in the tender and consist of output, impact and interview data. The findings revealed that VIG was perceived positively by both clients and referrers. All parents noted that they set their own goals with the help of the guider. The intervention gave parents time to reflect on what they do well and the opportunity to build upon this. Many noted that by becoming more attuned to their children, in particular by giving their child space and time to articulate their own needs, then the bond between them grew. Six months after the intervention, all of the ten participants were pleased that they had participated in VIG. Overall, the VIG Service would appear to be a cost effective, yet minimal intervention which is time limited and was felt to have lasting benefits and impact. (Edited publisher abstract)
A systematic map and synthesis review of child criminal exploitation
- Authors:
- MAXWELL Nina, et al
- Publisher:
- Cardiff University. CASCADE
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 56
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
This rapid review assesses what is known in the literature about child criminal exploitation, early identification of children at risk of criminal exploitation and key messages for an effective service response. It is based on a review of 53 sources, identified in a mapping search of five databases and eleven online resources. The review indicates that child criminal exploitation is an emerging problem that affects vulnerable children across all ages and ethnicities but that there is currently limited evidence about the nature and scale of the problem and what works in the identification and prevention of children becoming criminally exploited. The review found that three key elements appear to be particularly important: children should be seen as the victims of criminal exploitation rather than the perpetrators of crime; children who are at risk of, or who are being criminally exploited require strengths-based, relationship driven approaches; this is a complex social problem and therefore it requires interventions at national, community, family and child level. These may include developing a national intelligence picture to determine the scale and scope of child criminal exploitation; using community participation and outreach measures as tools in the proactive prevention of child criminal exploitation; and strengthening the services support for both parents and children. The review concludes by arguing that there is a need for research, policy and preparedness across agencies to try new ways of responding to children and families, including involving young people in the shaping of the response. (Edited publisher abstract)
Review of research and case law on parental alienation
- Authors:
- DOUGHTY Julie, MAXWELL Nina, SLATER Tom
- Publisher:
- Cardiff University. CASCADE
- Publication year:
- 2018
- Pagination:
- 60
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
This review of research and case law on parental alienation aims to provide an evidence base to guide practice for Cafcass Cymru for responding to disputes where opposition to contact by a resident parent or child is unfounded on any risk and therefore appears irrational. For the purposes of the review, ‘parental alienation’ is defined as the unwarranted rejection of the alienated parent by the child, whose alliance with the alienating parent is characterised by extreme negativity towards the alienated parent. The review found a limited evidence base for parental alienation due to a lack of robust empirical studies and an absence of literature about how the concept of alienation is understood, assessed and worked with from a practice perspective. In addition, most of the research identified focused on specific geographical locations, primarily the USA, where legal and clinical environments are different to those in Wales. (Edited publisher abstract)