Research & Innovation

Purpose

The importance of more intensive multi-agency post-proceedings support (PPS) for families coming through Family Drug and Alcohol Courts (FDAC) has been identified but there is only one model of PPS based within local authority children’s social care. This model in Gloucestershire has been in place since 2013 and consists of social workers, drug and alcohol support workers, a psychiatrist, speech and language therapist, health visitor and administrators plus links with Change, Grow, Live, CAFCASS, domestic violence services, and education and housing. The purpose of this process evaluation is to document how the intervention is implemented, to explore strengths and weaknesses of the model and examine what is delivered.

Timescale

2020 – 2023

Funding

What Works for Children’s Social Care 

Methods

The project includes visits to FDAC and observation of judicial reviews; Interviews with FDAC team members and key professionals; Initial and follow up interviews with participants; proposed focus groups with previous PPS participants; focus groups with staff from agencies (delayed in 2020 due to COVID-19); an examination of other ‘post-proceedings’ initiatives; an examination of case records of those in PPS; and cost analysis including consideration of team member time and activity, staffing costs and working hours.