Quality Circle is an initiative by social workers and lawyers in Sussex who have created a self-regulating, independent group of practitioners with the aim of identifying the most effective or promising practices and bringing about beneficial change in the family justice system in Sussex.
The focus is on legal proceedings concerning children and is multi-disciplinary i.e., it is open to social workers, solicitors, barristers, legal executives, academics, LA lawyers, psychologists, psychiatrists, Cafcass, ISWs and the Police. The meetings are usually attended by Judges & magistrates also.
Those participating in Quality Circle are committed to working collaboratively and enabling relevant research, guidance and policy initiatives to be disseminated widely. The work of the group is action orientated.
Our work is complemented by our Parent and Young Person Panel made up of people who have experienced the family justice system as young people or parents.
The group met first in November 2017 and has met regularly ever since. It has covered subjects such as: anti-racist practice, the voice of the child, trauma-informed practice and domestic abuse. A good example of the group’s approach has been sessions on “Creating a Culture of Respect” inspired by an article by “Surviving Safeguarding” about how alienating many families feel Court can be. The outcome was a manifesto which was approved and adopted by the Sussex Family Justice Board and published by Nuffield Family Justice Observatory with whom we work closely. This “Culture of Respect” document lays out our guiding principles of respect, equality and inclusion.
Meetings
Meetings take place every other month. People’s time is at a premium and so the duration is generally about 75 minutes. In normal times, seating is in the round to promote discussion – since the pandemic we have moved the meetings online.
Contributions from newly qualified practitioners are particularly welcome. Participants are encouraged to identify practical examples of improvements to practice with a view to these being discussed/adopted/modified in the discussion and actioned through the Sussex Family Justice Board. the Ground Rules for our meetings can be found here
Written material is disseminated regularly to the mailing list (of over 900 practitioners). To join our list (or be removed) email: brighton.events@1cor.com
Volunteers
The Quality Circle welcomes volunteers to help its work and provide suggestions for subjects that should be explored/research that should be disseminated.
Nicola McGeown & Martin Downs
July 2023
The documents below have been adopted and approved by the SFJB.
Anti poverty Practice Statement January 2023
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