How are policies implemented in children's services? Developing an initial programme theory to evaluate the implementation of the new Child Sexual Exploitation guidance in Wales

Abstract

Although children's social care is an area rich in guidance, there is very little research looking at the implementation of new policies in the United Kingdom. In this article, we report on the first stage of a realist evaluation of the implementation of the new Safeguarding Children from Child Sexual Exploitation guidance in Wales. We discuss the development of an initial programme theory, for which we conducted semistructured interviews with practitioners and managers in three local authorities. We developed programme theories across three areas: policy nature and development, implementation plans and organizational context. Findings suggest that, for policies to produce a significant impact on practice, they need to be sufficiently different to social workers' current perceptions of practice. Second, we found that the coordination between national and local policies is critical for successful implementation as contradictions between them might lead to confusion in what local teams should prioritize. Finally, our findings highlight the importance of effective communication of policy changes, as well as a supportive organizational culture to strengthen implementation in local contexts. These findings illustrate the complexity of policy implementation and the need for policymakers to consider the meaningful involvement of local practitioners in national policy development.

I am not going to lie; some people do not even want to talk: Co‐design with vulnerable groups affected by child criminal exploitation

“…It is tentatively suggested it also demonstrates the extent to which organisational factors can hinder which co-produced outputs are embedded into practice. Usubillaga et al (2023) realist review found that implementation is complex and dependent on it being succinctly communicated to professionals and sufficiently different to local policies and current practice before it will be adopted. As the co-designed toolkit complements the local authority toolkit and existing policy it is possible that the co-designed solutions were not sufficiently innovative to encourage adoption.…”