Benefits of SAFE
The Benefits of SAFE
Uniformity
The SAFE Desk Guide and Psychosocial Inventory are standard, uniformed, research-based tools that are used during the SAFE home study process. The SAFE Questionnaires are designed to promote increased disclosure, more truthful responses, and to verify that all critical issues are addressed.
The responses on these questionnaires then guide the home study practitioner to the specific areas of interest that are discussed in home study interviews. The result is the uniformed SAFE Home Study Report with a built-in psychosocial evaluation.
Reduces Worker Bias
The structure of the SAFE model promotes objectivity by providing researched based tools that significantly reduce or eliminate worker bias. In addition, a SAFE Certified Supervisor is required to work with the home study practitioner aiding as a “second set of eyes” throughout the process to ensure that the home study practitioner remains objective, focused, and adheres to the SAFE process.
Approval/Denial
The SAFE methodology does not incorporate an approval or denial component. The decision to approve or deny a family is made by the home study practitioner and supervisor. The SAFE methodology aids in the decision-making process by identifying strengths, needs, and potential concerns. Identifying potential concerns does not mean the family is ruled out, rather, it helps identify what support and resources they will need to successfully care for the child/youth. The SAFE home study process strives to be inclusive, not exclusive.
The use of SAFE assists the home study practitioner and supervisor in making a confident, well-informed recommendation that protects all involved.
Continuous Support from SAFE Specialists
CFC provides SAFE users with free consultation and technical support. There is also a dedicated area of the Resource Center that contains support tools and resources.
Built-In Psychosocial Evaluation
The SAFE Psychosocial Evaluation focuses on the entirety of an Applicant’s history. This aids the Home Study Practitioner in determining Applicant strengths and if past issues, behaviors, or events could or do affect the Applicants’ current functioning or ability to parent.
The Psychosocial Inventory and SAFE Desk Guide are complementary instruments that support and guide the Home Study Practitioner through the process of developing the Psychosocial Evaluation in a structured manner. These tools allow Home Study Practitioners to systematically analyze information learned during the home study process, as well as to facilitate a clear and uniform identification of specific family strengths and potential issues of concern that are ultimately incorporated into the final home study report.
A thorough Psychosocial Evaluation protects all involved – the child/youth, Applicant(s), Home Study Practitioner and Supervisor, as well as the Agency/Jurisdiction.
Pre-Formatted Home Study Report
While uniform in format and content, SAFE Home Study Reports can be modified for every SAFE jurisdiction to reflect their unique regulations and rules. The structure of the SAFE home study report assists the home study practitioner in documenting and analyzing assessments and evaluations developed during the home study process.
The SAFE Home Study Reports provide ease of use in cross-jurisdictional placements as information is found in the same placement and order from one jurisdiction to the next.
Applicants are informed at the beginning of a SAFE home study process that they will have the opportunity to receive or to read a copy of their final written SAFE home study report.
Structured Process
The SAFE methodology and tools provide a step-by-step process that is beneficial to practitioners with all levels of home study experience. Available to all certified SAFE home study practitioners and supervisors is a SAFE flow chart that identifies each step of the home study process and what is required. Having a structured process enables the Home Study Practitioner to know exactly what is done next; eliminating guess work from the process. This not only supports the Home Study Practitioner but the SAFE Supervisor and applicant family as every step is identified before the process begins.
Update Process Available
In addition to the SAFE Initial Home Study, there is an available SAFE update process that can be used to address any changes that have occurred since the initial home study assessment was completed. The SAFE update assists the practitioner and agency in tracking potential concerns identified in the initial home study with a focus on the degree of resolution to those concerns today. The SAFE update process also assists the practitioner in identifying and assessing any changes that have occurred since the initial home study was completed. SAFE Update Questionnaires are used, and a Psychosocial Evaluation is also built into the SAFE update process.
Similar to the SAFE Initial Home Study report, the SAFE Update report is uniform in format and content but can be modified for every SAFE jurisdiction to reflect their unique regulations and rules.
In addition, SAFE also has a conversion process available. This process allows an agency/jurisdiction to convert their non-SAFE home studies to the SAFE format.
