Supporting Children of Incarcerated Mothers: Creating Conditions for Integrated Social Service Delivery Using Scenario-Based Workshops

Understanding the service delivery system for children of incarcerated mothers is crucial for developing evidence-based innovations that promote integrated social service delivery. However, the system’s complexity and invisible infrastructure pose challenges in gaining a comprehensive overview, and there is limited literature detailing methods to navigate this complexity. Our study bridges this gap by evaluating the efficacy of using fictional scenarios to foster conversations about collaboration among service providers who support the children of incarcerated mothers. In total, 21 service providers from seven agencies participated in scenario-based workshops. The workshops were audio recorded, transcribed, and qualitatively analysed. Findings indicated that the scenarios resonated with the participants and revealed details of the often invisible infrastructure within the system. The emotional resonance of the scenarios played a pivotal role, cultivating empathy, enriching the exploration of shared experiences, and prompting discussions on broader systemic issues. Importantly, the scenarios stimulated conversations about collaboration, showcasing a genuine desire among service providers for collaborative efforts and clarifying roles and responsibilities within the complex system. These findings underscore the scenario method’s effectiveness in identifying the complexities of the service system, fostering collaborative conversations, and providing crucial insights to enhance the service delivery system supporting children of incarcerated mothers. Future research should explore whether embedding this method into a more structured approach, such as a Community of Practice, could lead to measurable and sustained improvements in integrated service delivery for the children of incarcerated mothers.