‘Time to talk’: what partner professionals expect from social workers to enhance understanding of safeguarding referral thresholds in order to improve partnership working

This article presents findings from an exploratory study co-conducted by practitioner-researchers engaging in a facilitated practice-based research programme to explore how partner professionals perceive and experience the safeguarding of children and adults at risk in North-East England. Reviews of safeguarding highlight multi-agency working challenges in communication, information sharing and working together, and different professions have different cultural perspectives regarding risk. Qualitative online surveys were distributed across the North East Social Work Alliance (NESWA) partnership networks, and responses were received ( n = 63) from partner professionals in health, education, the police, housing and other charitable organisations. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six-stage thematic analysis framework in three phases, which acted as both a teaching and quality-control measure to enable each project team member to engage in thematic analysis. Findings suggest that partner professionals highlight the importance of transactional communication, an understanding of profession-specific risk and professional respect. It is posited that if more emphasis were given to the importance of social workers engaging in dialogue with partner professionals, this could potentially reduce unnecessary referrals and increase understanding.