ORCID
- Alyson Norman: 0000-0002-4332-6049
Abstract
The current study aimed to explore the factors that influence how social workers make decisions and develop their decision-making skills in care proceedings, and to identify effective support and intervention to develop social worker decision-making skills. The study employed a mixed thematic approach across two phases of study: an initial inductive thematic analysis of responses to an online qualitative questionnaire and then a mixed thematic analysis of follow-up focus groups and interviews with social workers working in various social work roles within England and Northern Ireland. The findings identified a number of themes that help to understand the decision-making skills of social workers; thorough assessment skills, relationship-based anti-oppressive practice, being mindful of the lived experience of the child and using critical reflection to make complex decisions. Wider structural factors that support or hinder decision-making, particularly in respect of organizational support and management supervision were also identified. Social workers can be supported to develop decision-making skills through additional training, reflective learning and management support to develop their practice wisdom within this field.
Publication Date
2022-10-04
Publication Title
Child & Family Social Work
ISSN
1365-2206
Embargo Period
2022-10-11
Recommended Citation
Abbotts, D., & Norman, A. (2022) 'Social worker decision-making in court', Child & Family Social Work, . Available at: 10.1111/cfs.12977
