Unconscious Bias: How your judgements and assumptions impact your safeguarding practice

As a DSL, we may believe that we are free from making assumptions or passing judgement. However, there is a growing body of safeguarding research that explores how unconscious bias directly shapes professional judgement, risk assessment and ultimately outcomes for children.

Underestimating how our own biases impact on how we interpret and respond to risk is a danger in safeguarding. Judgements that are influenced by unconscious bias may mean we miss harm, minimise risk, misinterpret children’s behaviours and/or have reduced curiosity.

What do we mean when we talk about unconscious bias?

Unconscious bias is when we unknowingly make decisions or judgements on the basis of assumptions, prior experience or personal thought patterns that get in the way of impartial judgement.

It's 'unconscious' because we're not aware it is happening and this means it can be difficult for us to address.

Types of bias include:

Adultification:

Adultification describes how some children are not afforded the same assumptions of innocence and vulnerability. Research shows that Black children are especially affected by adultification, with race and racism compounding these assumptions. Adultification can reduce professional curiosity and increase the risk of safeguarding needs being overlooked.

Confirmation bias:

Confirmation bias is the tendency to favour information that supports what we already think, even when we are presented with evidence that challenges it. Confirmation bias can lead professionals to hold on to an initial view of a parent’s ability to safely care for their child, making it harder to identify risk and harm if it emerges or changes.

Optimism bias:

Optimism bias is the tendency to underestimate risk or overestimate positive outcomes, assuming that ‘things will be okay’ even when evidence suggests otherwise. In safeguarding, this can be particularly dangerous because it can lead professionals to downplay early warning signs or delay interventions.

Groupthink:

Groupthink occurs when the desire for harmony within a group leads to conformity. It suppresses different opinions and critical analysis. Groupthink can lead to unquestioned beliefs, people censoring their thoughts and views and negative pressure on those who have an alternative opinion. This type of bias is particularly risky in meetings where the risk and harm to children is being considered.

Affinity bias:

Affinity bias is the tendency to favour people who are like us, maybe in background, interests, culture or personality. Affinity bias can influence how professionals perceive risk, the credibility of parents and children and perceived reasons behind non-engagement.

How can we help prevent unconscious bias?

Use supervision

Supervision is one of the safest and most important spaces to explore bias, but only if we are honest in our conversations. This might include testing out your thinking and being open to critical challenge. Try being open about how you have formed your decisions, for example, try spending time exploring whether you are being too harsh or lenient, or whether your response to a child or family is influenced by personal values or assumptions.

Be aware

Unconscious bias is not something we can eliminate but we can learn to notice it. We might be making quick judgements, going with a gut feeling or making an assumption that just feels obvious. Slow down your thinking and take the time to notice where these are coming from.

Remain reflective

Reflection is what slows us down enough to notice bias in action. Try thinking about how you handled an interaction and ask yourself what assumptions you might be making or if you would have responded the same way if the child/family had been different?

Use evidence rather than assumption

Keep your decision making grounded and defensible by being explicit about what is fact and what is opinion. Record what you see, hear and what others say, not your opinion as to what these might mean.

Stay curious

Avoid getting caught up in ‘fixed stories’ about children and families. Keep asking questions and be open to new information changing your mind about something.

About the author: Sophie Baker is a senior social work leader with over 20 years experience in frontline and practice development roles.

Safeguarding Network provides bespoke supervision packages which are tailored to suit your circumstances. Contact us today and be matched with an experience supervisor who can support you to think about how your biases might impact your safeguarding practice.