The purpose of a child and family assessment is to gather sufficient information about the child and family to understand its needs and make decisions about:
The nature and impact of the concerns or needs described in the referral and what intervention or support is necessary;
Whether the child meets the criteria for ongoing services as a ‘Child in Need’.
A maximum timescale of 45 working days from the point of referral to completion allows flexibility and individualisation of response, but the speed should be determined by the needs of the particular children and presenting risk. The assessment must include visits to the child.
If at any stage there are child protection concerns, the Local Authority's Safeguarding Child Protection procedures must be followed.
The Child and Family assessment will be based on:
The information contained in the inter-agency referral form (and common assessment if it is attached);
A proactive process of sharing and gathering information via discussions with key relevant professionals and networks (e.g. the child’s GP, school, Health Visitor, Children’s Centre Manager, etc). Parents / carers will be required to give consent to the information being shared in ‘Child in Need’ referrals. Evidence of consent might be requested;
Any historical information held within the agency; or other local authority;
A home visit with the family and children to answer any outstanding questions. With the permission of the parent/carer the child should be seen alone if of sufficient age and understanding and bedroom seen. If this permission is not forthcoming, and there are child protection concerns, the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Children procedures must be followed;
The “voice of the child” must be captured within the assessment.
The gathering of relevant information will:
Be focused on the child’s developmental needs;
Be focused on the parents /carers’ capacities to meet the child’s developmental needs;
Reflect the family strengths as well as any difficulties;
Consider whether the parent/carer has needs independent of the child which may call for the provision of adult community care services;
Consider the impact of any family or environmental factors on the well-being of the child.
Note: if there is a concern with regards to exploitation or trafficking, a referral into the National Referral Mechanism should be made on gov.uk website
Негізгі бет Key 🔑 tips when completing Child and Family Assessments-
Пікірлер: 26