Assessment Process
Once instructions are received, the scope of work, timescales, and practical arrangements are agreed in advance. This ensures clarity from the outset. I will contact the people I will be working with and send out our agreed assessment plan within 7 days where possible.
The assessment will involve gathering relevant information, which will include several meetings with parents, carers, children (where appropriate). I may speak with family members, and I will read historical information which I will have received from the local authority. I take time to listen carefully and understand family circumstances in context.
Where appropriate, direct work with children and observations will form part of the assessment.
I use a range of resources, approaches, and tools to support my work, depending on the purpose of the instruction, the assessment being undertaken, and the individual child or family involved. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to social work. The tools I use are selected carefully to ensure the work is proportionate, appropriate, and focused on gaining a clear and balanced understanding of each situation.
Any resources used are applied thoughtfully and in line with statutory guidance and professional standards, with children’s safety, wellbeing, and lived experience remaining central throughout.
All information is analysed carefully and balanced. Reports are written for the person or people they relate to and are written clearly and thoughtfully, with recommendations that are evidence-based, proportionate, and focused on children’s safety and welfare. I tend to use Red, Amber, Green ratings throughout my reports as this allows a clear understanding to the reader to clearly understand where there are risks or safeguarding concern, where some support may be necessary or where things are going really well.
Once the report has been finalised and quality assured, I will undertake a feedback session with the parents or people being assessed. This will include discussion of areas of concern, strengths, and my recommendations. The full report will then be sent to the instructing party, which is usually a legal advisor for the local authority.
If any additional work, clarification, or follow-up is required, this will be discussed and agreed separately with the instructing party.