Practice Frameworks in Children’s Services in England: An Attempt to Steer Social Work Back on Course?

This article examines the concept and adoption of practice frameworks and how these are becoming a key feature of many English local authorities in social work practice with children and families. A practice framework or model either drives practice or groups together various approaches. The article draws on data drawn from an evaluation of Signs of Safety, supplemented by a later survey, and a roundtable discussion with practitioners, researchers and social work educationalists held in 2018 on the nature and function of practice frameworks. It draws together data from these sources to provide an overview what is in place in local authorities, as well as what is being defined as a practice framework. These are discussed in relation to implementation and consistency.