How clinical psychologists respond to child safeguarding dilemmas: A qualitative study

Abstract This research aimed to explore how clinical psychologists respond child safeguarding dilemmas, with special attention the role of psychology in welfare. Transcripts from 20 semi‐structured interviews working Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services England were analysed using a qualitative framework approach. In these interviews, two family case vignettes used examine dilemmas. We identified three overarching themes: operating within system stretched resources; characterising who is considered ‘supportable’ by psychological services; challenges around conceptualising responding risk. Clinical viewed social services as responsible for cases concerns reluctant engage high‐risk where stability home was not yet established. They saw their welfare primarily sense‐makers families, offering contextualised explanation/formulation presenting difficulties.