ABSTRACT

The Multi-agency Investigation & Support Team (MIST) was a new approach to abuse investigations that aimed to minimize the distress and uncertainty experienced by children and non-abusive caregivers in dealing with the many agencies typically involved in a case post-disclosure, while also attempting to improve the accessibility of supportive and therapeutic services. As part of a broader evaluation, this study examined worker perceptions early in the implementation of this new approach. Thirty-three (33) interviews were conducted with workers affected by this new pilot. The interviews identified almost exclusively positive perceptions of the changes relative to practice as usual, particularly in terms of improvements to collaboration and communication across agencies, and the benefits of providing support alongside the investigation process. Some areas of difficulty and areas for improvement were identified, particularly the need for stronger governance of the cross-agency protocol and improved connection to some of the groups involved in the response that were not co-located. The study suggests professionals working in the MIST model consider the model beneficial to the quality of the response to severe child abuse while highlighting that the process of change into this new way of working was challenging at times.

摘要

多机构调查和支持小组（MIST）是一种滥用调查的新方法，旨在最大程度地减少儿童和非虐待性照护者在与通常涉及案件披露后的许多机构打交道时遇到的困扰和不确定性，而还试图改善支持和治疗服务的可及性。作为更广泛评估的一部分，本研究在实施这种新方法的早期检查了工人的看法。对受新飞行员影响的工人进行了三十三（33）次访谈。访谈几乎完全确定了与往常相比相对于实践的变化的积极看法，特别是在改善各机构之间的协作和沟通以及在调查过程中提供支持的好处方面。确定了一些困难领域和有待改进的领域，特别是需要加强对跨机构议定书的治理，并加强与参与应对行动的一些不在同一地点的小组的联系。该研究表明，在MIST模型中工作的专业人员认为该模型有益于应对严重虐待儿童的质量，同时强调指出，转变为这种新工作方式的过程有时具有挑战性。