Safeguarding support

The world of child protection is extremely complex and challenging – and numerous public sector agencies are involved at any given time. One small slip-up can end in tragedy. And that is something that has unfortunately happened time and time again.

Now, a new internet-based project is aiming to enable each support organisation to better understand the life of a child and the involvement of those who ensure their safety.

Bringing about positive change

The Patchwork project was launched by FutureGov, a consultancy and social innovation incubator that helps to shape the future of government.  And it's all about using smart design and social technology to find new ways to better connect professionals and their clients and improve the quality of support and outcomes for all.

A smart safeguarding app

The first phase of the project saw FutureGov bringing together a project team that researched safeguarding and developed a concept for how social technology could contribute to keeping children safe. 

From this, they devised a website application that would help to bring everyone involved closer together and keep up-to-date with the latest situation. The Patchwork app is designed for use by all the people supporting complex families to build and strengthen their relationships – and keep the child and their family at the centre of everything they do.

Supporting innovation and transformation

In the next phase of the Patchwork project, FutureGov is joining forces with Lichfield and Staffordshire’s Strategic Partnerships with a view to expanding on the proof of concept work already done to develop the app into a scalable product.  

The project represents an exciting opportunity to show how new technology can transform public services and how new business models can support innovation in the public sector.

But more importantly still, it has the potential to transform the way in which professionals and non-professionals alike in the complicated world of child protection could better share information and form the kinds of relationships that might prevent future tragedies.