In this blog post for the Parents, Families & Allies Network (PFAN), Andy Bilson emeritus professor of social work and Taliah Drayak, parent with lived experience of child protection and parent advocate and founder of Scots Mums Guide to Safeguarding and Child Protection, write that "the current approach of children’s social care is too often to individualise problems and to search for blame through child protection investigations." The article argues that "we can't afford child protection" - there is a need for a fundamental shift, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, from focusing on risk and blame to supporting families and children - and discusses a framework for a new approach and strategies for change.
