Why language matters: how using the term ‘disguised compliance’ can be problematic

Time and time again case reviews highlight concerns about parents’ or carers’ ‘disguised compliance’. But what does the term mean? And what are its implications for practice?

The term disguised compliance was first used by Reder et al to describe ways parents and caregivers behave in order to appear like they are co-operating with professionals, allay concerns and try to put a stop to increased scrutiny and involvement from services.¹

We know from case reviews that the term is often used to describe various caregiver behaviours, including minimising concerns, withholding information and inconsistent engagement with services.

> Read our Learning from case reviews briefing on disguised compliance

While disguised compliance has become a familiar term in safeguarding circles, some commentators argue that it has become overused, in ways which can be misleading, unhelpful and blaming.²

Rather than labelling caregiver behaviours, it’s more helpful to look beneath the behaviour, build strong relationships with families and make sure the child’s lived experience remains at the heart of everything you do.

Why ‘disguised compliance’ can be a problematic term  

Misleading

The first issue is that the literal meaning of disguised compliance doesn’t match the behaviour it’s used to describe. The words ‘disguised compliance’ suggest that caregivers are ‘disguising’ their ‘compliance’ by following agreed plans and arrangements whilst pretending not to. Of course, what it’s really meant to convey is the complete opposite – that caregivers are pretending to comply with plans and arrangements but are in fact resisting. In this sense, a more accurate term would be ‘disguised non-compliance’.³

Misunderstood

Over time the term has become so widely used that it has lost some of its meaning. It is sometimes used as a ‘catch-all’ way of describing any problems with family engagement⁴ instead of thinking of it as part of a continuum of uncooperative or resistant behaviours from ambivalence and avoidance to confrontation and violence.⁵ This can in turn lead to confusion between professionals and agencies around what the concerns are, and how best to address them.

Focuses on caregiver behaviour rather than what professionals can do to help

Disguised compliance implies active deception on the part of the caregiver. Labelling behaviour in this way can create an atmosphere of suspicion rather than collaboration. This undermines the relationship between caregiver and professional. It can lead to confirmation bias, where professionals interpret all caregiver actions through the lens of disguised compliance, missing genuine efforts to change. Putting the responsibility for engagement firmly on the caregiver also ignores the central role professionals play in building effective working relationships.

> Read our Why language matters blog on reframing responsibility for accessing services

Overlooks the reasons why caregivers are struggling  

Focusing on labelling caregiver behaviour oversimplifies complex situations and reasons why parents and carers might struggle to engage with or follow through on plans, or to sustain changes. These can include:  

• impact of childhood trauma and adversity
• distrust of professionals
• fear of losing their children
• privacy concerns and fear of exposure
• denial they have a problem
• lack of understanding of what is being expected of them. 

What some professionals may view as deliberate attempts to mislead services or disrupt plans may be due to pressures and challenges that are preventing caregivers from sustaining changes. If professionals don’t identify the reasons for the behaviour and don’t work with families to overcome any potential barriers, it can lead to further disengagement.  

Shifts focus away from children 

There is a risk that professionals become preoccupied with assessing caregiver compliance rather than focusing on the child's needs and experiences. Professionals might spend more time evaluating if caregivers are attending scheduled meetings or following through with prescribed actions, rather than directly observing and understanding the child’s physical and emotional state. This can lead to missed signs of distress or abuse, as the child’s wellbeing is overshadowed by the caregivers’ behaviour. 

How can you look beyond the language of disguised compliance?  

Use clear, objective language in assessments and records 

It’s important to clarify what is meant when other professionals use the term 'disguised compliance'. Try to find out what types of behaviour the parents are displaying, what the reasons behind the behaviour might be and what the impact is on their child.  

Rather than using the term 'disguised compliance', describe what the caregivers are doing – or not doing – and the impact this is having on the child. Consider what other information you need to know to understand why caregivers are behaving in this way. 

Engage and build trusting relationships  

Don’t allow suspicions of disguised compliance to deter you from trying to build a positive, open and honest relationship with a family. Try to approach interactions with an open mind, while retaining respectful uncertainty and professional curiosity. Listen to any difficulties families are experiencing in engaging with services and try to find ways to help them. 

Look beneath the behaviour 

It’s helpful to think about the underlying causes of parental behaviour. Allowing time for reflection can help you identify patterns of non-cooperation, the potential reasons behind the behaviour and actions you can take to help keep children safe.

Keep children’s needs at the centre of everything

Make sure concerns about parental behaviour don’t distract you from the child’s needs. Try reframing parental behaviour in terms of the impact it is having on their child.⁶ Assessment tools such as Graded Care Profile 2 can help you to assess whether caregivers are meeting their child’s needs.

Taking a child-centred approach rather than focusing on parental compliance enables you to:  

• make decisions in the best interests of the child rather than the adults
• better understand what is happening in the child’s life, their perspectives and experiences
• keep the needs and views of the child in sight 
• avoid the likelihood of over optimism about progress based on parental engagement rather than concrete improvements in the child’s situation.