Why are you having a child and family assessment?
Either you, or someone else on your behalf, has asked for help with an issue which affects your family, or they may be worried about you and your child or children. When this happens, we will let you know that someone has contacted us about your family, and we will arrange a time for a social worker to visit you. During their visit, they will introduce themselves, explain their role and how they might help you.
The assessment will be undertaken with your consent unless there is significant risk of harm to the child and the assessment is being completed as part of a S47 enquiry.
What is a child and family assessment?
To help us in our work with you, we need to know more about you and your family. The social worker, with help from you, your family and other agencies, will gather information on your situation and write an assessment. The social worker will consider the needs of your child/ren and how you respond to these needs and work with you to bring a plan together.
An assessment helps to agree with you what help and support you and your family might need (if any) and who could best give this help. Whilst the social worker and other professionals will take the lead in completing the assessment, this will always be done in a way which helps you to have your say and encourages you to take part. We will protect your confidentiality and only share information about you with others when we have your permission, or in special circumstances when the safety of children or young people requires it. If this is the case, you will be told what your rights are in this situation.
What will happen at the assessment?
The social worker will usually meet with you and your family several times. They will also talk to other people and professionals to gather and share relevant information to complete the assessment. This will always be done in a way that helps you to have your say and encourages you to take part. Where children are old enough to take part in the assessment, the social worker will help and encourage them to do so.
We know that some families can feel worried, anxious, or even angry about having a social worker involved in their lives. It is our job to be open and honest about what the worries are and work with you to create the best way of supporting you and your family.
The assessment will take into consideration your ethnic and cultural background and if you would like it, we can arrange help in your first language such as an interpreter.
Talking to parents and carers
Most parents want to do their best for their children. Completing the assessment will help the social worker recognise the strengths you and your family have, as well as any areas of difficulty. An assessment is an important part of our work with you. In a small number of cases, there are serious concerns about a child's safety. Making sure the child is safe is our first concern. Your social worker will discuss this with you. You have a right to know.
Talking to children
Where children are old enough to take part in the assessment, the social worker will encourage and help them to do so by exploring, in an age-appropriate way, their wishes and feelings. We like to see children in the presence of their parents or carers as it helps social workers understand their lived experience and relationships, but they should also be seen alone. If a parent or carer does not provide consent for the social worker to speak to the child on their own, you will be told what your rights are in this situation.
What if I don't agree to take part?
The social worker will do all they can to reassure and engage with you. If you choose not to take part in the assessment, the social work team will have to consider the concerns raised without your input.
Where the safety of a child is at risk social workers can if needed speak to other agencies. If we consider this is needed, we will tell you. We will always provide a written record detailing the concerns and actions taken by the social worker and share this with you.
How long will it take?
The assessment will be completed within 45 days from the point of referral but often takes less time and we always endeavour to be involved in families lives no longer than necessary. After the assessment has been written by the social worker, they will discuss the content of the assessment with you. If you do not agree with what is written in the assessment when it is completed, there will be an opportunity for you to record your point of view on the assessment document and the team that completed the assessment will ensure your views are clearly recorded.
What happens after the children and families assessment?
When the assessment is complete, your child's social worker will talk to you about the outcome (what happens next) and you will be involved in designing a plan.
The outcome of the assessment might be:
- No further involvement from statutory services
This will happen if it is felt your family is coping well and does not need further help from a social worker.
It might be recommended that you receive support from other services such as Early Help or another specialist service.
If your situation changes or you are still worried about your child or children you can contact us again.
- Child in need
This will happen if your family needs more help and support.
We will make a Child in Need (CIN) plan with you. The CIN plan will clearly state how we will work together with you and other services to give your child or children what they need.
The social worker will make sure that an initial Child in Need meeting is arranged as soon as your child is identified as needing more support.
Meetings will take place between 8-12 weeks, dependent on the level of concern, to review the plan and ensure everything that we agreed is being done. The social worker will visit you and your child/ren at least every 4 weeks.
- Child protection
This will happen if we think your child or children are at risk of significant harm.
The child's social worker will request an Initial Child Protection Conference (ICPC) and your child/ren may be supported by a Child Protection (CP) Plan.
The CP Plan will clearly state the concerns about your child and how we will work together with you and other services to give your child/ren what they need.
Core group meetings will be held every 4 weeks to review the plan and ensure everything that we agreed is being done.
Your child's social worker will see your children at least every two weeks. These visits will be both announced and unannounced.
Working with your extended family
With your consent, we may arrange a family group conference with you and your extended family, where family and friends come together and find practical solutions to problems that your family may be facing. This is to ensure that your wider family understand your situation at an early stage and can offer support to you and your family where necessary.