Safeguarding Children Peer Review Programme: Learning and recommendations
15 April 2011
The Local Government Group commissioned NFER to undertake an independent research study to draw out key messages and learning from the safeguarding children peer review programme. Telephone interviews were conducted with staff from five local authorities and their partners, as well as with a range of peers from the review teams of those local authorities. Interviews were carried out between August 2010 and February 2011.
The safeguarding children peer review process can be highly valuable to local authorities, supporting their upwards performance trajectory of safeguarding practice. Benefits of an effective review can include increased commitment to improving practice, development of ideas, plans and actions, promotion of learning and reflective practice, revision of policies and processes, improvement of staff morale, and enhancement of partnership working. However, there is also some capacity for future development and expansion of the programme as it becomes further embedded and refined.