An International Effort to Develop a Fidelity Measure for Signs of Safety®. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roberts, Yvonne Humenay; Caslor, Michael; Turnell, Andrew; Pearson, Kim; Pecora, Peter J.
• Is Part Of: Research on social work practice. Volume 29:Number 5(2019)
• Page Start: 562
• Page End: 571
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: child abuse -- child welfare -- instrument development -- risk assessment; Social service -- Periodicals; 361.3205
• DOI: 10.1177/1049731518754724
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-7315

Abstract

Purpose: This article describes how a worker fidelity assessment measure was developed for Signs of Safety®—an approach to assessing safety and risk in child protective services that is being implemented in the United States and over 11 other countries. Methods: We applied the Delphi Survey process with 70 experts from nine countries to identify key practice elements that could be assessed by supervisors. Then, 435 frontline staff were assessed by 285 supervisors from six countries. Results: Factor analyses of the 28 items yielded four distinct factors. These data were then used to refine the fidelity assessment. Discussion: The majority of supervisors reported that the assessment helped them to identify worker strengths and areas for refinement within the dimensions of Signs of Safety and overall child protective services practice. The value of developing similar tools for parents and workers was endorsed by the study participants.