Building Better Futures

Description of impact

Incorporation into social work practice and core training in statutory social work training in the HSC Trusts in Northern Ireland.

Who is affected

Social workers in statutory child and family practice, children who are in need of support and protection and their families

Narrative

Building Better Futures is an evidence based model for social work assessment and enhancement of parenting when children are in need of support or protection. The innovative methodology in this project comprised a mixed-method, flexible, multi-modal iterative design which was co-produced between Social Work practitioners and academics, driven through a collaborative partnership between QUB, the Health and Social Care Board, and Health and Social Care Trusts. This assessment model has been integrated into mainstream practice throughout NI, with a potential reach into English Local Authorities and beyond. The significant impact of the model in NI was endorsed by the Department of Health (DOH) Chief Social Work Officer, Mr Sean Holland, who stated that ‘The adoption of the model in NI had been transformative for children’s and families’ social services in NI in terms of influencing social workers’ assessment practice’. The BBF model has been integrated into mainstream social work practice across NI, with 400 social workers currently trained in the model.

Impact status	Ongoing
Impact date	2018
Category of impact	Public Service Impact, Public Policy Impact, Quality of Life Impact
Impact level	Adoption