Tool kit 1 Assessment of child's contact needs In planning and delivering contact for children it is essential that there is good quality assessment of the child's contact needs and how these needs can best be met. This is irrespective of whether there is no order, an interim order, full care order or adoption order. Information obtained from this assessment should be recorded within Assessment. Contact should not be an "afterthought" or an arrangement that is hastily brought together with little consideration of the child's, birth family or carers needs. Inevitably, there will be occasions when contact plans need to be drawn up quickly such as when an Emergency Protection Order goes before a court. This however, should be an infrequent exception. Every effort must be made to have a planned contact arrangement based on the needs of the child and the circumstances of the case prior to the court hearing. Good quality assessment and plans will assist the court, and those involved with the child, to formulate a plan based on the child's needs. This will reduce the level of discussion immediately prior to the hearing. It will also help to avoid last minute negotiations, which may not have been thought through and in the best interests of the child. Careful forethought is necessary as it is entirely possible that you may be re-examined on thought processes behind the contact plan. If you have fully assessed the contact needs it will be easier to explain the plan to the court. The essential for assessment In any assessment of contact there will be essential factors which will need to be considered. Some of these factors will be more relevant than others depending on the purpose of the contact and the stage of any legal proceedings and care history. The purpose of the contact - safety, assessment/re-unification or identity. The child's needs: age and level of understanding. Their wishes and feelings regarding contact. Their relationships with family members including siblings. Their emotional and developmental functioning and needs including psychological resilience and ability to form attachments. The level of harm and ensuring their need for safe contact can be met. This may include issues around the confidentiality of the placement.
Tool kit 1 Assessment of child's contact needs In planning and delivering contact for children it is essential that there is good quality assessment of the child's contact needs and how these needs can best be met. This is irrespective of whether there is no order, an interim order, full care order or adoption order. Information obtained from this assessment should be recorded within Assessment. Contact should not be an "afterthought" or an arrangement that is hastily brought together with little consideration of the child's, birth family or carers needs. Inevitably, there will be occasions when contact plans need to be drawn up quickly such as when an Emergency Protection Order goes before a court. This however, should be an infrequent exception. Every effort must be made to have a planned contact arrangement based on the needs of the child and the circumstances of the case prior to the court hearing. Good quality assessment and plans will assist the court, and those involved with the child, to formulate a plan based on the child's needs. This will reduce the level of discussion immediately prior to the hearing. It will also help to avoid last minute negotiations, which may not have been thought through and in the best interests of the child. Careful forethought is necessary as it is entirely possible that you may be re-examined on thought processes behind the contact plan. If you have fully assessed the contact needs it will be easier to explain the plan to the court. The essential for assessment In any assessment of contact there will be essential factors which will need to be considered. Some of these factors will be more relevant than others depending on the purpose of the contact and the stage of any legal proceedings and care history. The purpose of the contact - safety, assessment/re-unification or identity. The child's needs: age and level of understanding. Their wishes and feelings regarding contact. Their relationships with family members including siblings. Their emotional and developmental functioning and needs including psychological resilience and ability to form attachments. The level of harm and ensuring their need for safe contact can be met. This may include issues around the confidentiality of the placement.
assess_rel_contact_toolkit_1.docx