Okay, I admit this isn't going to be the most exciting post but hopefully it may be of some use, particularly if you undertake assessments. I'm putting together a 'library' of assessment tools that social workers - primarily children's workers - can utilise as and when they need to. These tools can be generic or specific, actuarial or consensus-based, qualitative or quantitative, or a mixture of some or all of these things.
I've collected a few over the years which I regularly share with others but I'm always on the lookout for something new so if you know of any that you're willing to share with me or others on this forum then here's your chance. I know we can often seem like slaves to ICS and the assessment framework but there really is some good stuff out there that can 'set us free' (well, at least some of the time anyway). It would also be a good opportunity for people to share their experiences - good or bad - about using/completing specific assessments. (NB: I'm more than happy to send out electronic copies on request)
Here are a few examples:
This isn't an exhaustive list, I have others that I draw upon as and when I think necessary but I will also devise my own if the situation demands it and I'm feeling a bit creative. Hope to hear from some of you.
Sounds intriguing...
Hi Grinch, I am intrigued as there are many assessment tools out there both in children and adult services....... seems we keep reinventing the wheel. What we could do is just morph them all
Do you find carers Assessments a challenge?
Serene Advocate: Hi Grinch, I am intrigued as there are many assessment tools out there both in children and adult services....... seems we keep reinventing the wheel. What we could do is just morph them all
You're right, there are many tools out there, some of which only ever seem to be used within a specific LA. Despite the plethora of tools - some better than others of course - I'm continually surprised by how many of colleagues never use any assessment tool at all, ever - excluding the assessment framework of course. To a certain extent I can understand why - time, workload, ridiculously lengthy prescribed core assessments, etc. - but there are many out there that can help us to be more analytical and hopefully support better decision-making.
PaulBarton: Do you find carers Assessments a challenge?
I've never actually completed a Carer's Assessment but I work in children's services and I'm pretty sure (but I may be wrong) they're only completed by social workers in adult services?
No certainly done in Children with Disabilities teams
adarynefoedd: No certainly done in Children with Disabilities teams
Of course they are, thanks for the reminder.
Grinch: Okay, I admit this isn't going to be the most exciting post but hopefully it may be of some use, particularly if you undertake assessments. I'm putting together a 'library' of assessment tools that social workers - primarily children's workers - can utilise as and when they need to. These tools can be generic or specific, actuarial or consensus-based, qualitative or quantitative, or a mixture of some or all of these things. I've collected a few over the years which I regularly share with others but I'm always on the lookout for something new so if you know of any that you're willing to share with me or others on this forum then here's your chance. I know we can often seem like slaves to ICS and the assessment framework but there really is some good stuff out there that can 'set us free' (well, at least some of the time anyway). It would also be a good opportunity for people to share their experiences - good or bad - about using/completing specific assessments. (NB: I'm more than happy to send out electronic copies on request) Here are a few examples: Questionnaires and Scales (DoH) Risk Assessment Matrix Learning Curves (assessing parents with a learning disability) Graded Care Profile Pre-Birth Child Developmental Assessments (various) This isn't an exhaustive list, I have others that I draw upon as and when I think necessary but I will also devise my own if the situation demands it and I'm feeling a bit creative. Hope to hear from some of you.
Am just about to graduate hoping to go into childrens but have no placemet experience of it so cant help really - sorry
would be extremely interested in a coy of your collated data tho!!!!
Dear Grinch
I'm trying to develop an assessment tool/framework for my organisation.
Would you mind emailing me some of the assessments you have so that I can pinch relevant info and develop something that suits our specific need.
Our org covers residential special school/sensory impairment, learning difficulties, physical disability services for both children and adults. Of your bullet point list above I'd be interested in all but the pre-birth tool.
Hi Julie,
More than happy to send you whatever I have, just let me know your email address. If you don't want to leave your email address on an open forum then I think there's a way of sending me a private message. Not sure how though!
Hi. Just to let you know that in the Wales Social Care Accolades 2011 in late June, Gwynedd Council were awarded for developing an integrated model for assessing risk of significant harm. They've developed tools to assess risk but link to a suite/ library of tools organised across domains of AF and assessment themes (e.g neglect, change). I think the idea is that you seek and find what you want from the library to get into some detail in your assessment. I think this has been implemented in Liverpool, Manchester, Cheshire and seems to be gaining momentum in authorities. I found some info on www.bruce-thornton.info that may give you an idea. It has some handouts about it.
My thought is that all of this has to be easy to navigate, is proportionate to your needs. I like the idea that they are trying to get some clarity on the threshold of significant harm, which if we were all honest is the really difficult part of our decision making that people are often nervous in admitting that we struggle to understand. This is never going to disappear unless the Children Act and s47 is changed. So, we're beyond ICS, in some wilderness not sure what the future will look like after Munro, when there is unlikely to be resources for the changes proposed.
The website invites enquiries. May be worth checking directly or if you're working in an Authority whether they are aware of this new work. Not sure if you get access to the material directly, or if this is available to Authorities as part of training etc. I'd imagine that the area of assessment is more complex than forms (ICS taught us that !) so I'd imagine that there would be a training and development need for staff. If anyone gets anywhere with this, keep us posted.
I am working at a new Domestic Violence Shelter that opened a week ago. We are looking to find some good assessment tools to put together something that will work well for our shelter. We do work with adults and children, many of which may also have mental health diagnosis, chemical dependency and other concerns. I would greatly appreciate any tools/scales, etc that you have that may be helpful for us to put together our own assessment tool. We are needing to find some specific measures as well to secure more funding. If you can email them to me at mkeith95@hotmail.com, I would greatly appreciate it!
Thanks so much!
MDK
Hi Grinch
I just joined this site and im interested in your assessment tools, could you email me some of them., im particularly interested in Graded Care Profile, pre Birth and the Learning Curves.
I work for an LA in Yorkshire and have been qualified for 9 years so i have a fair few assessment tools up my sleeve which i could also share with you, but ive just landed a secondement to lecture at Uni and any info from you would be appreciated. My Email adress is clarebarwell@googlemail.com.
Clare
This sounds like a really useful thing to do. I've been a Social Work Assistant for the last 4 years, and am starting my degree next year, any tools would be so great!!
Hi I am student and I am thinking about completing my dissatation around the inital assessment based on the assessment framework for children. I woundered if anyone knows of any good resources which may critique the value of the assessment framework in practice. I am aware so far of some of theoretical arguments on the incresed survelliance around assessments, studies which have looked at if it has helped in increasing parental and childrens veiws but have yet to come across any that looks at areas of the tool weaknesses. I would also be interested if anyone knows of any studies that looks at it's use in increasing collaboration with other professionals, I know similar stuides have being done with CAF woundered if any on I.A.
I will be completing this research myself not asking anyone to do this for me, just woundered as I have only stared to look at the topic a couple of days ago and some professionals may have come across research that I may have missed.
I am also just about to start my next placement in an Initial assessment team and would like to know if it is ok to use these other tools in assessment if appropriate or do some authorities expect you to stick to the assessment framework.
Hi,
i am going to be starting a graduate scheme in october in children and young people services. I would be really interested in having a look at what you have just so i can do abit of swotting before i start! if its ok with you i will send you my email and would be grateful if i could see what you have as this is soemthing i will be getting involved with in my first year.
many thanks
What you find challenging about completing Carer's Assessment?
I'd be interested to know as I was involved in a year long project to undertake Carer's Assessment alongside a Carer's Emergency Plan
The agency I worked for at the time had a severe reprimand about Carer's Assessments, or lack of, hence a special team was created to complete over 1000 assessments
Is the challenge not being able to offer very much? Or that carer's expectations are not realistic? Both? None of these. Sorry to gate crash the original post!
Aimed at response post regarding this
Hi Julieeclaire
I have some info' you find useful specific for children who are deaf/ sensory impaired if you would like me to let you have some material?
Assessing a deaf child, risk assessments, initial and core assessment material etc
Let me know what you need