Title

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

The influence of dual perspectives in children's social care

Craig White looks at how dual perspectives can change thinking in children's social care

© Maxim Ibragimov/Shutterstock

© Maxim Ibragimov/Shutterstock

Optimising the UK social care sector is critical, and one approach with increasing advocacy is the power and impact of the dual perspective and the voices of those with lived experience. Many sectors utilise dual perspective approaches, however at the time of writing; the social care sector is making strides to further acknowledge its importance.

Dual perspectives offer a unique opportunity to see a sector from two sides. The use of mystery shoppers offers a dual perspective in the retail sector, and clinical testing offers a dual perspective in medicine. In social care, professionals with dual perspective see through a lens of both having been in receipt of social care and working as a professional within it.

However, being able to destigmatise and hold space for dual perspectives in the local government not only helps to provide the sector with a new approach that instigates change but becomes a catalyst for sector-wide development. One of the most prominent roadblocks to integrating lived experience into social care is the stigmatisation that surrounds receiving social care services. Statistics show that those who have experienced care can often find themselves faced with the biases that result from having been in receipt of it.

Although the data on lived experience can err on the heavier side, it is critical to comprehend the importance of individuality. Not all experiences are the same, and many professionals with this experience have a lot to bring to the table.

Enabling opportunity by advocating for dual perspectives within the sector may inspire opportunities to diversify knowledge and understanding across the board. Through the acknowledgement of these professionals, services can adapt and improve.

This embedding of dual perspectives into the sector can take on approaches such as challenging the stigma and encouraging lived experience voice across the industry.

Inviting and encouraging professionals with dual perspectives is the first step towards changing our thinking process. After all, there is nothing better to drive positive narratives and productive development than accumulated experience from both sides of the coin.

 

Craig White is Commercial Director at iESE Innovation

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Putting good relationships centre stage

By Dr Jo Casebourne | 20 October 2025

New ministers have urged councils to lead reforms for children and young people by investing in relational support, strengthening kinship care and embedding ...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

LGR could be what adult social care needs

By Cllr Daniel Cowan | 20 October 2025

Cllr Daniel Cowan says reorganisation offers an opportunity to reimagine adult social care, and a five-unitary model for Essex would reduce reliance on the h...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Bringing Birmingham back from the brink

16 October 2025

Rishi Shori sets out Birmingham City Council’s history of intervention and the three ingredients that have proven essential for sustainable improvement and a...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Shining a light on mental health

By Jessica Mullinger | 16 October 2025

Wellbeing is not a luxury, it is core to a healthy organisation. Jessica Mullinger looks at some of the ways to protect mental health and wellbeing in the wo...

Popular articles by Craig White