Flourish pledge case studies
Independent Statutory Services and Practice (Norfolk County Council)
What they pledged
Norfolk County Council's Independent Statutory Services and Practice (ISSP) pledged to listen to, encourage to be part of the decision making, work together and celebrate the little things that make life special. Being aware every small act has the potential for a huge impact.
About the pledge
ISSP provides a range of services, including:
- Independent reviewing officers
- Independent chairs for child protection conferences
- The principal social worker role
- Coordination of the children and young people led Norfolk in Care Council
They have used Flourish in a range of these activities.
Child protection chairs and independent reviewing officers used Flourish to develop as a service. As part of a self-audit and workshop, the service asked themselves three questions:
- How is the service supporting looked after children and young people to flourish
- What might we have done differently
- What do we need to do as a service to move forward
The service also developed a series of practitioner tips around how to use Flourish with children and young people.
The ISSP also coordinates 'practice weeks', a forum for learning and sharing good practice. This is open to cross-sector organisations across the county. Since November 2023, the eight Flourish areas have been used as the theme for each practice week. In November 2023 it was family and friends, in May 2024 it was learning. This meant everyone attending, or delivering a session, thinks about Flourish and how to use it in practice.
The ISSP also houses the family group conference and family network meeting service. This service used Flourish to reflect on and map its offer to children young people and families, to ensure it was delivering the Flourish outcomes.
"The Flourish dimensions are aspirational and this has helped focus the Independent Reviewing Officers in Looked After Children Reviews to be aspirational with our young people when planning for their future and potential independence."
Service Manager
