Coming to conclusions: social workers' perceptions of the decision-making process in care proceedings

This study reports on an analysis of the transcripts of four focus groups involving social workers from four English social work teams working with children and families. In the groups, social workers discussed the process of coming to a decision in care proceedings (where decisions are made about the future care of a child where there are concerns about the care provided in the family of origin). It explores how social workers described themselves coming to conclusions about cases, and how they perceive the courts as doing so. Noting the need in such important proceedings both for thoroughness and for speed (for delay is likely to be harmful to children in need of a secure home), the authors consider ways in which decision-making might be distorted or delayed and discuss the perception of the social workers that some kinds of evidence are under- or overvalued by the courts. The authors conclude that, while it may seem that there is a trade-off between thoroughness and speed, this is not always the case and that factors that cause poor decision-making can also cause delay.