Hi all,
I am seeking some help and advice with writing the analysis section of a Core Assessment. I am on student placement and this is my first time writing a CA.
I feel I have gathered a lot of information and I have written this up but it is now the analysis I am struggling with. I am spoken with my supervisor, looked on line and am still a bit unsure of what/how to write it!! i know it is one of those things that once you have done one it gets easier!!
So does anyone have any kind of 'fail safe' methods they use or a good easy read guidance?
Thank you.
Hi Squirrel,
Since coming into LA social work, I've found that the way ICS splits the information into tick box segments and then simply says 'analysis' and expects you to put it all together again greatly inhibits the ease with which you can analyse the issues. The old style (or vol sector equivalent) formats which allow you to 'tell a story' actually help a lot more with analysing the information you have gathered, in the context of the family you are workign with, rather than just writing down your information.
'A Practitioner's tool for CP and the assessment of parents' gives a break down of the whole assessment and guidance for checklists and assessment tools in specific areas, it also has a short section on analysis which may be useful although I can't remember how comprehensive it is.
The way I complete the analysis section is to write bullet points in the section as I go through the rest of the assessment/fill in the form. I place my feelings/hypotheses and evidence which supports or negates them here to return to at the end (when I'm brain dead from 40 pages of tick box lists!). Putting my hypotheses into words and getting evidence for or against also helps me to evaluate my own assessment/ideas and determine what may be incorrect judgements or may be useful in the analysis.
Other points to consider when analysing is how to bring the segregated information back into one place. I like the narrative style, discussing the history and present and analysing as I go along, this brings together a number of complex issues which may impact on any one family and puts them back into context. The cycle for change is useful to consider family motivation/capacity to change (if it is needed). You may also wish to focus on the current support the family already have (formal and informal) and the pros and cons of i) professional involvement and ii) no action at all/case closure. You can then weigh up the merits of different types of interventions (including not intervening) to determine what, if any package of support is appropriate and why.
Not sure how useful this will be as completing assessments is really a matter of style, but maybe some things to consider
Pika
Hi Pika,
We have done away with the 'tick box' fomula in our CYPD. I still find it quite laborious as until you get to be really familiar I am finding I am duplicting info as not always 100% sure if it should be under behaviour/emotional develop. or identity for example!!!!
Thank you for your advice though...great stuff.
The core assessment is a huge document so I find it helpful to do a quick recap of the main points from the other sections. This allows you to draw out the links between the personal / psychological, the enviromental and the parental capacity factors. It can also be useful to prioritise needs and say what you feel needs to be addressed first. The analysis should draw together the needs and set up for the action plan / reccomendations.
The analysis can also be a bit of a letter to the client (or the parents), telling them what you think is going on for them and the options you would like to give them. Its important to remember that they will be reading it too.
1, Its not shakespeare, there was for me a worry that it had to be something that had never been written before, silly I know but thats what its was for me at the time.
2, Do not use quotes, if you do then some highly paid barrister if its in court will find something to "diss" you with. I know you are going to get responses on here saying Im wrong but remember your the one in the witness box.
3, If you do not know say in the assessment that "with regret" you have not had chance to explore X, Y and Z yet but maybe the Psychologist ( gets paid more than you) will be able to advise the Court. Or for example you are waiting for the community based assessment or whatever. Its a snapshot to say it "this is what you have found out in the time available". Have a cut off point, its 35 days but there having a laugh! its part of the book that Peter Kay wrote.
4, Say where you got the info from, keep your orginal notes as the Court might ask for these. Try and make it readable for the clients,
5, keep your core assessments so you can see how you have improved, clearly you would be told to anon them if you do, you will imrpove as time goes on.
6, I read something the other day it was like this . Jane said that she went to the shop and Mary said that she did not, the person had studied to MA Level, god it was boring, the people on the page have to come alive. EG, Mary and Jane could not agree about their recent visit to the supermarket is much better than he said she said, I was bored, bored, bored..............
I never found out if they purchased anything from the Supermarket, lost the will to live.
7,some people state dont use emotional language eg, sadly and with regret but I do, its up to you I am sure, do not make sweeping statements and do some one a good turn before you do them a bad one!
if you get my drift. get somone to read it for you and enjoy. Also eat cake when writing assessments
Crispycakes
I always find that it's good to think of the anaylsis in different sections. You could start with a summay of the situation, include what the risk factors are, what are the protective factors are, the parents capacity to change. Don't forget to include some positive aspects of the family (if there are any) as it can demororlise them totally if it is all negative. I was advised that if you include quotes from research make sure that a) they are properly referenced, b) you have read the whole article and c) you quote an opposing view eg it's easy to say that xx% of children are damaged by witnessing DV but then include say something on resilience. Don't be scared to say something hasn't been explored if you haven't had time to cover it - you will always be finding new things out about a family. It's a good idea to end with some recommendations of what you think should happen next.
Once you get into the swing of writing them they get easier.