All assessments are only in time - providing a picture of a family at a particular ‘snapshots’ stage - and, as snapshots, they need to be collated, integrated and reviewed to provide a fuller picture of the family when considering any ongoing departmental response. All assessments are circular, highlighting the need for continual review of all assessment outcomes through ongoing analysis of new, additional information, while incorporating changes that have occurred for the child and family through any intervention. Ay assessment should be supported by supervision processes and ongoing professional development opportunities and is to be used in conjunction with relevant legislation, policy, procedures and practice guidelines. Research provides evidence that parents who their children are frequently struggling with a range of problems, such as poor mental health, substance/alcohol misuse and domestic violence. Such difficulties may increase the potential for abuse when they occur in combination or are compounded by other stressors such as parental capacity, material deprivation, housing problems and unsupportive/inadequate social and familial networks. A thorough risk assessment should consider the strength/resilience factors, support networks and resources that a family must draw upon to better identify the nature of intervention necessary to protect the child. A thorough approach to risk assessment also needs to take account of several key questions: What is getting in the way of this child or young person’s well-being? Do I have all the information I need to help this child or young person? What can I do now to help this or young person? What can my agency do to help this child or young person? What additional help, if any, may be needed from others? In addition, any assessment of risk must also consider the following. Source of the risk Who or what presents the danger/threat to the child’s well-being? does the harm occur at home and/or in the wider community? – What is the level of intent is the abuse an act of commission or omission? – Is the harm isolated to a single event or cumulative, reflecting more than one risk factor?
All assessments are only ‘snapshots’ in time - providing a picture of a family at a particular stage - and, as snapshots, they need to be collated, integrated and reviewed to provide a fuller picture of the family when considering any ongoing departmental response. All assessments are circular, highlighting the need for continual review of all assessment outcomes through ongoing analysis of new, additional information, while incorporating changes that have occurred for the child and family through any intervention. Ay assessment should be supported by supervision processes and ongoing professional development opportunities and is to be used in conjunction with relevant legislation, policy, procedures and practice guidelines. Research provides evidence that parents who their children are frequently struggling with a range of problems, such as poor mental health, substance/alcohol misuse and domestic violence. Such difficulties may increase the potential for abuse when they occur in combination or are compounded by other stressors such as parental capacity, material deprivation, housing problems and unsupportive/inadequate social and familial networks. A thorough risk assessment should consider the strength/resilience factors, support networks and resources that a family must draw upon to better identify the nature of intervention necessary to protect the child. A thorough approach to risk assessment also needs to take account of several key questions: What is getting in the way of this child or young person’s well-being? Do I have all the information I need to help this child or young person? What can I do now to help this or young person? What can my agency do to help this child or young person? What additional help, if any, may be needed from others? In addition, any assessment of risk must also consider the following. Source of the risk Who or what presents the danger/threat to the child’s well-being? does the harm occur – at home and/or in the wider community? What is the level of intent – is the abuse an act of commission or omission? Is the harm isolated to a single event or cumulative, reflecting more than one risk factor?
SRAF%20FINAL%20JULY%202017.docx