WHAT: Comprehensive guidance on undertaking an assessment of children in need and their families. It covers the principles for assessment, the process of assessing children, how to analyze and make decisions, the roles and responsibilities of various agencies, and organizational arrangements to support effective assessments. The assessment framework focuses on three core areas: the child’s developmental needs, parenting capacity, and family and environmental factors.
WHO: Professionals and agencies involved in identifying and responding to children in need.
WHERE: This resource is based on UK legislation but also reflects the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It can be used beyond the UK context but may require modifications to fit a particular context.
WHY: It is an excellent resource for those undertaking assessments in understanding how to approach families, what questions to ask, and what to do with the information gathered.
N.B. This framework is designed to be used alongside the following resources from the Department of Health, Department for Education and Employment, Home Office, UK, 2000:
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Assessing Children in Need and their Families: Practice Guidance
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Framework for the Assessment of Children and their Families: Guidance Notes and Glossary for Referral and Initial Information Record, Initial Assessment Record, Core Assessment Record
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Referral and Initial Information Record
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Initial Assessment Record
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Core Assessment Record Ages 0-2, 3-4, 5-9, 10-14, 15+
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Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families: Family Pack of Questionnaires and Scales
