Using the Signs of Safety in Edinburgh

Signs of Safety in Edinburgh

The City of Edinburgh Council, Children & Families Department, Scotland have undertaken a process of training many of their staff in the Signs of Safety approach, including sending a number of staff to advanced five day training with Andrew and Viv Hogg in Gateshead in October 09. Although the organisation is not currently in a position to undertake a full implementation it is encouraging its staff to use the ideas and tools where ever possible.

Andrew was in Edinburgh in mid September 2009 and recorded a video interview with Leigh Taylor, a senior practitioner (social work) who used the signs of safety approach with a developmentally delayed teenage mother who was very angry at the child protection and other professionals who had acted to remove her baby from her care. The case was further complicated because the mother was in a relationship with a man who was very violent toward her and was seeking to hide this issue from the professionals.

At the beginning of the video Andrew interviews Leigh about what attracted her to the Signs of Safety and how she has been able to use the approach more broadly in her work. Then Leigh describes in detail how she used the signs of safety approach over a 12 month period working with the mother and the other professionals, which enabled the mother to face and deal with the issues that were getting in the way of her having her child. Ultimately the work lead to mother and child being reunified. This is an inspiring piece of practice.

For more information about the work at Edinburgh contact Helen Wosu: Helen.Wosu@edinburgh.gov.uk