The Unseen Work: Relational Principles in Child Protection

So much of child protection work goes unseen: the doubt a practitioner carries into a visit; the ground-level practice wisdom that never makes it into a report; the hidden strengths of a parent; and the fragile relationship that actually made the difference.

Too often, we are asked to prioritise compliance over connection. In this webinar, Richard Devine and Tim Fisher draw on their combined frontline experience – and the learning and leadership that followed – to explore how we can put relationships back at the centre of practice, both individually and systemically.

We will offer real‑world principles and examples of relational practice, showing how recognising the unseen aspects of our work can transform what becomes possible. We will also consider how to sustain motivation: to keep improving our practice, the systems we work within, and the experiences of children and families.

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
– Name the core principles of relational practice and what they look like in child protection
– Hold complexity—about families, risk, and their own role—without retreating into certainty or risk‑averse practice
– Identify what goes unseen in their own work, and use that awareness to work more effectively with children and families
– Apply practical ideas and tools that support meaningful change in their day‑to‑day practice