Assess;

Plan; Im

plement; Revie

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What is an Assessment?

• A process of Gathering Information.• From secondary sources i.e. The

opinions of others.• From our own senses i.e.

Observations.

Thompson (2009:218) advocates that

• Information gathering in assessments should be ‘minimum necessary, not maximum available’.

This is to ensure:1. Minimal intrusion.2. Avoid wasting time.3. Avoid information overload.

It is essential that we

Define the problemBefore

we seek solutions

Thompson (2009:219/23) states that Assessment should be:

• Partnership, not paternalism – Why?• Assess situations, not people – Why?• Strengths – Why?• Significant changes? – Why?• Respond to need, not demand – Why?• Confidentiality – Why?• Separate fact from opinion – Why?• Avoid Jargon – Why?• Avoid vagueness – Why?• Set clear objectives and timescales – Why?

Setting Objectives: MARST might help?

Objectives? What are we ‘measuring’ against?

Bronfenbrenner 1979Belsky

1984

Thompson 2006

Making a Plan

Implement: Doing what we need to do to get there.

The Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need. (Department of Health,

2000:17)

• Provides a ‘systematic’ approach.• A ‘conceptual map’.• ConsistencyIt requires a thorough understanding of three interrelated domains:1. The developmental needs of children2. The capacities of caregivers to meet those needs3. The impact of wider environmental factors

The DoH guidance is based on research. Hence in is ‘evidence informed’

• For example; Cleaver et al (2011) examines the research on parenting capacity and how this relates to needs and risk.

[you can find some of this research (Cleaver et al) in excerpt 6 in today’s pack – the entire document can be downloaded online]

Communication with parents

• Clearly, communicating with parents about sensitive issues such as how they care for their children is a sensitive topic.

• Practitioners must acknowledge this and proceed with tact and caution. However, whilst acknowledging the feelings of the parent, the practitioner must always ensure that the needs of the child are central and paramount.

• Excerpt 7 in today’s pack (Billston & Edmonds, 2007) identifies ‘good practice’ for breaking bad news: broaching safeguarding issues is likely to be perceived as ‘bad news’ by parents and carers.

(Note: When you see the word ‘patient’ read this word as ‘client’)

Assessment concluding thoughts

• Is a complex process of obtaining information about children and families.

• This information gathering is necessary to build an accurate picture of children’s needs and risks to their development.

• This information gathering includes judgements about what is reasonable to be expected for children of different ages. This reasonableness is based on research.

• Parenting is a difficult ‘job’, broaching parenting issues requires tact and sensitivity, although the child must remain the priority and paramount focus.