My research examines how social workers and families collaborate to effectively protect children from extra-familial harm, including serious violence, criminal and sexual exploitation. Evidence indicates that statutory child protection frameworks, designed to address risks within families, may contribute to parental stigma while failing to adequately address these risks. Given system constraints, social workers struggle to build trust with families. ‘Contextual safeguarding’ offers the potential for different approaches if these constraints can be navigated. I will use qualitative approaches with social workers and caregivers to understand whether and how collaboration is built and how this influences outcomes for children.My research examines how social workers and families collaborate to effectively protect children from extra-familial harm, including serious violence, criminal and sexual exploitation. Evidence indicates that statutory child protection frameworks, designed to address risks within families, may contribute to parental stigma while failing to adequately address these risks. Given system constraints, social workers struggle to build trust with families. ‘Contextual safeguarding’ offers the potential for different approaches if these constraints can be navigated. I will use qualitative approaches with social workers and caregivers to understand whether and how collaboration is built and how this influences outcomes for children.