Doing Real-Life Change in Children’s Social Care
Embedded Research in Practice
By Jenny Lloyd and Rachael Owens
Published
Mar 31, 2025Page count
208 pagesISBN
978-1447372387Dimensions
216 x 140 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Mar 31, 2025Page count
208 pagesISBN
978-1447372394Dimensions
216 x 140 mmImprint
Policy Press
Doing Real-Life Change in Children’s Social Care
All too often, human systems are criticised for failing those they are there to serve. In children’s social care, there has been a growing awareness of the overlooked needs of adolescents facing harm in their communities. This has intensified the call for system reform that leads to practice that is ethical, effective and grounded in supportive relationships. But how can this be achieved?
Drawing on experience of Contextual Safeguarding system change, this book shares ‘real-life’ lessons from research. It covers:
• Practical guidance and tools for changing systems using embedded methods;
• Navigating complex relationships and emotions in organisational change; and
• Using theory and concepts to support change.
The book’s lively and creative style makes it accessible for researchers, students, professionals and anyone committed to system change in adolescent safeguarding.
“An excellent book in so many ways. Lloyd and Owens write in an engaging and straightforward way throughout, focusing clearly on the multi-layered process required for system change.” Pat Cartney, University of Manchester
Jenny Lloyd and Rachael Owens are Assistant Professors in the Department of Sociology at Durham University.
Jenny’s research focusses on adolescence harm, using embedded methods to improve system responses with practitioners. She spends her time outside of work getting excited about new hobbies and pursuits.
Rachael brings her social work background to Contextual Safeguarding research, where she values relationships as a way to create change. She loves poetry, moving, singing and swimming outdoors, preferably together.
1. Introduction
Part 1: Methods for understanding and changing children’s social care systems
2. Embedded methods for learning how the system works
3. Methods for actively engaging with the system
4. Developing a plan and making changes
Part 2: Working with relationships, emotion and culture to change children’s social care systems
5. Emotional containment and vulnerability in the change process
6. A relational approach to culture change
7. Giving feedback on ‘bad practice’
Part 3: Theories and learning from doing system change in children’s social care
8. Reasons to be hopeful
9. How theories can help us change systems
10. Conclusion: how to end system change
