Seven-minute briefings
Professional Curiosity
1 What
A combination of looking, listening, asking direct questions, checking out and reflecting on information received. It means not taking a single source of information and accepting it at face value. It involves testing your assumptions and triangulating information from different sources. Seeing past the obvious.
2 Background
Professional curiosity is a feature of all Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs), Partnership learning reviews and audits and is an essential part of safeguarding. Developing professional curiosity is a fundamental aspect of working together to keep children, young people and adults safe. This briefing aims to raise awareness of the need for professional curiosity and advises where and how to access help and support.
3 Why it matters
Professional curiosity is the capacity and communication skill to explore and understand what is happening within a family rather than making assumptions or accepting things at face value
4 Information
Professionals need to have a degree of caution in their judgements and triangulate information. This means seeking independent confirmation of individuals’ accounts and weighing up details from a range of sources or practitioners, particularly when there appear to be discrepancies.
5 Information continued
Be observant when completing key tasks such as home visits, analyse all available information and record all concerns and considerations. Barriers to curiosity:
- Losing focus on the adult through overidentifying with carers
- Over optimism
- Making assumptions
- Being afraid to raise concerns/ question families
- Time constraints
- Lacking the confidence or assertiveness to ask sensitive questions
- Unconscious bias
6 What to do
Seek advice guidance and second opinions.
Work in partnership with other agencies Carry out unplanned visits (where possible).
Play ‘devil’s advocate’.
Present alternative hypotheses.
Present cases from the child, young person, adult or another family member’s perspective.
Share your concerns and findings with other professionals/agencies.
7 Questions
Professional Curiosity is closely linked with Professional Challenge. Are you confident in procedures for challenging a professional decision that you disagree with?
Reflective practice and regular supervision are ways to support professional curiosity and support professionals to implement this non-judgemental and holistic approach.