Assessing Children in Need and their Families: Practice Guidance and Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families with copies of Referral and Initial Information Record, and Core Assessment Record

Assessing Children in Need and their Families: Practice Guidance, Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families, copies of Referral and Initial Information Record, and Core Assessment Record

Description: " A Framework for Assessing Children in Need

A framework has been developed which provides a systematic way of analysing, understanding and recording what is happening to children and young people within their families and the wider context of the community in which they live. From such an understanding of what are inevitably complex issues and inter-relationships, clear professional judgements can be made. These judgements include whether the child being assessed is in need, whether the child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm, what actions must be taken and which services would best meet the needs of this particular child and family. The evidence based knowledge which has informed the development of the framework has been drawn from a wide range of research studies and theories across a number of disciplines and from the accumulated experience of policy and practice.

The Guidance describes the Assessment Framework and the Government’s expectations of how it will be used. It reflects the principles contained within the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by the UK Government in 1991 and the Human Rights Act 1998. In addition, it takes account of relevant legislation at the time of publication, but is particularly informed by the requirements of the Children Act 1989, which provides a comprehensive framework for the care and protection of children.

This document is issued under section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970, which requires local authorities in their social services functions to act under the general guidance of the Secretary of State. As such this document does not have the full force of statute, but should be complied with unless local circumstances indicate exceptional reasons which justify a variation.

The Guidance is a key element of the Department of Health’s work to support local authorities in implementing Quality Protects, the Government’s programme for transforming the management and delivery of children’s social services. Quality Protects aims to deliver better life chances for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children, and good assessment lies at the heart of this work. The Government’s consol-idated set of objectives for children’s social services published in September 1999 makes clear the importance of assessment in the work of local authority departments and health authorities. The framework has been incorporated into the Government Guidance on protecting children from harm, Working Together to Safeguard Children (Department of Health et al, 1999) and should be read in conjunction with it when there are concerns that a child may be or is suffering significant harm.

The Guidance is not a practice manual. It does not set out step-by-step procedures to be followed: rather it sets out a framework which should be adapted and used to suit individual circumstances. A range of additional publications has been produced to inform practitioners and their managers about the most up-to-date knowledge from research and practice. Practice guidance (Department of Health, 2000a) and a training pack consisting of a training video, guide and reader (NSPCC and University of Sheffield, 2000) have also been developed to accompany the Guidance and to assist the introduction and implementation of the new framework. The Department of Health will be working closely with local authorities, health services and other agencies through the Quality Protects Programme to help them put the framework into practice in the most cost effective way."

Free downloads in PDF format

Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires;
Parenting Daily Hassles Scale;
Home Conditions Assessment;
Adult Wellbeing Scale;
AdolescentAdolescent Wellbeing Scale;
Recent Life Events Questionnaire;
Family Activity Scales (in two age bands);
Alcohol Scale.

Practice Guidance

The Family Pack of Questionnaires and Scales

Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families and Guidance Notes and Glossary for:Referral and Initial Information Record, and Core Assessment Record

Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families

Guidance Notes and Glossary

Referral and Initial Information Record

Initial Assessment Record

Core Assessment Records

Core Assessment Record - Child aged 0-2 years

Core Assessment Record - Child aged 3-4 years

Core Assessment Record - Child aged 5-9 years

Core Assessment Record - Young person aged 10-14

Core Assessment Record - Young person aged 15 years and over

Help with PDF files

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