Signs of Safety

Welcome to the Signs of Safety and Resolutions Consultancy Website

This website describes solution-focused, safety-organised child protection practice and the work of Andrew Turnell who collaborates with practitioners and agencies from all over the world in developing, implementing and describing these ideas.

Andrew is an independent social worker, family therapist and child protection consultant from Perth, Western Australia. While the child protection field is over-organised by anxiety and failure, Andrew’s work focuses on fostering, amplifying and describing, constructive on-the-ground child protection practice that creates meaningful safety for children in high-risk cases.

Andrew is the co-author and co-creator of the Signs of Safety approach to child protection casework and co-author of the Resolutions approach to ‘denied’ child abuse. Andrew teaches regularly around the world and acts as an ongoing practice and organizational consultant to child protection systems in Australasia, Europe, Japan and North America.

NEW! Implementing the Signs of Safety

We are excited to have just added a new page to the website exploring the issue of system implementation of safety-organised practice. This page features the experience of Carver County Minnesota.

Words and Pictures DVD

Words and Pictures DVD Cover

Informing and Involving Children in Child Abuse Cases

The ‘Words and Pictures’ DVD introduces a concrete, tried and tested method, professionals can use to give children and young people age-appropriate, clear information about actual or alleged maltreatment and involve them in what will be done about the issue.

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Working With Denied Child Abuse

Book Cover

The Resolutions Approach

Professor Harry Ferguson says: This important book provides a rare blend of new theoretical insights, practice wisdom, and a clear model for intervention into some of the most complex child abuse cases imaginable. It is essential reading for all those concerned with teaching, researching, managing and doing child protection.

More information.

Family Violence Intensive

AAA flyer

Sydney 10-14 November

Join Adriana Uken, Allen Wade and Andrew when they lead a 5-day intensive programme: Innovative Practice with Family Violence. Book early as places for this exciting training are strictly limited.

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Stockholm, 1st and 2nd of September

Two days signs of safety training specifically looking at safety planning and involving children.
Visit: www.danderydsteamet.se

Helsinki, 4th and 5th of September

Two-day introductory workshop in the Signs of Safety approach to child protection casework. Contact: ben@benfurman.com

The Kiwis are Publishing!

Megan Chapman and Jo Field have written about creating ‘practice depth’ in safety-organised child protection practice. Click Here

Cherie Appleton and Nicki Weld have just published Walking in Peoples Worlds offering therein their ideas about strengths-based child protection practice. Visit: www.cnzn.co.nz

Nicki Weld has also published a book chapter on the Three Houses work with children in a book entitled, Contemporary Risk Assessment in Safeguarding Children.
Visit: www.russellhouse.co.uk