This document provides an overview of the Signs of Safety (SoS) approach to child protection casework. It explains that SoS starts as a strengths-based model developed in Western Australia, and is now used worldwide. The key aspects of SoS include building better relationships with families, taking a collaborative approach, creating a clear understanding of past harm and future dangers, identifying strengths and existing safety, and using the SoS assessment and planning framework to map dangers, strengths, and required safety goals. This framework uses a three columns approach and scaling questions to develop a shared understanding and work towards changes to improve child safety.

1. The benefits of using
the Signs of Safety
approach

2. To get the best out of this online training:
• Keep your microphone on mute, unless you want to
speak
• Raise your hand if you want to speak
• Use the chat box for questions & comments
• Listen to one another & have fun 

3. What is Signs of Safety?:
• Signs of Safety (SofS) started as a strengths &
safety-based approach to child protection casework
in Western Australia
• It is based upon what those works well with families
• It is now used worldwide
• It has been introduced into many Children’s
Services worldwide as a key practice approach to
work with families

4. • SofS provides a clear framework on how we should
work with families – this includes building better
relationships with families to work with them more
effectively
• The SofS model aims to create a more collaborative
approach between professionals & families to
address situations where children have experienced
harm, are at current risk of harm or have identified
unmet needs

5. Good Signs of Safety Practice:
• Creating a clear understanding of past harm,
current harm, possible future dangers for child /
young person (if nothing changes), & what the
complicating factors to supporting the family are
• Identifying existing strengths & existing safety,
whilst working with extended family & community
networks to help improve safety & well-being for
children

6. The Signs of Safety Assessment & Planning
Framework is used for ‘mapping’ the dangers /
worries, strengths & required safety & well-being
goals for children
There are “Three Columns”:
• What we are worried about?
• What is working well?
• What needs to happen next?

8. There is also a version for
children called the Three
Houses:

10. Additionally, there are Children’s Services bottom
lines (non-negotiables) that the family must either
maintain, or not do to ensure safety for the children
in their care
Using the analysis from the three columns, the
danger / worry statements & safety / well-being goals
are created

11. Scaling Questions:
A scaling question linked to the statements & goals
is used to gain the perspective of the Social Worker,
the family, their networks & other professionals
around the family
They scale the current level of safety or worry about
unmet needs
This helps to develop understanding between
everyone involved & to work towards the required
changes for children within agreed timescales

12. Short video on Signs of Safety

13. Short video on Empathy

14. Let’s listen to each other as we answer
this question:
Name one thing that you will do
differently as a result of attending this
training?