Ofsted finds improvement in social care assessment practice

A thematic review of 123 cases across 10 local authorities found that nearly two thirds of assessments were carried out promptly and in a timescale that met the child’s needs, and that in most cases good assessment practice was leading to children receiving the right support.

The Quality of Assessment of Children in Need of Help looked at the effectiveness of practice in early help, children in need and child protection assessments.

It was ordered by Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw after the inspectorate’s 2012/13 social care annual report highlighted weaknesses in assessment practice, particularly in children’s services departments rated below “good”.

The review states that since the 2012/13 annual report, there have been major improvements in how assessments better capture the views of children, male family members and other children’s professionals.

It also highlights how children’s social workers are increasingly using theoretical models of practice to improve the quality of assessment, particularly in conjunction with the single assessment framework.

In addition, inspectors reported that areas with the strongest assessment practice tended to have a stable workforce and good leadership, with a commitment to partnership working across safeguarding agencies and a culture of practitioner supervision.

Despite the improving picture, Ofsted found that in eight out of 10 councils inspected, assessment was a “standalone” rather than “ongoing” process that evolved constantly dependent on the changing needs of families.

It also said greater effort needs to be made to reduce the amount of professional jargon used in assessments by practitioners so that they are easier to understand for families, and to ensure there is greater analysis of chronologies of events.

In a third of the cases reviewed, the written plans drawn up as a result of assessments were not good enough to improve a child’s circumstances.

Wilshaw, said: “The improvement in the quality of care assessments is encouraging. It’s clear that local authorities and partners are taking this work seriously.

“However, there is still more to do before we can be assured that all children and families are receiving the high standards of care required.

“As our report shows, good quality assessment is predicated on the local authority and other agencies ensuring that there is an accurate and ongoing assessment of need so that children and families are supported every step of the way.

“Ofsted will continue to monitor how local authorities are evaluating the needs of children and families through our children’s services inspections.”

Local authorities that participated in the review – which took place in summer 2014 – included Blackburn with Darwen, Derbyshire, Durham, Ealing, Gateshead, Hackney, Kirklees, Telford and Wrekin, Torbay, Southwark and West Berkshire.