The government placed a statutory duty on councils with social services responsibilities in England and Wales to implement the framework by April 2001. The aim of this two-year research, which is based on a diverse sample of 24 English councils, was to explore the impact of the introduction of the assessment framework on social work and other agencies' practice.
Findings indicated that when implemented well, the use of initial and core assessments improved inter-agency collaboration and partnership working with parents. However, the lack of direct assessment work undertaken with children and young people was a matter of concern.
Assessing Children's Needs is well laid out and accessible to a wide audience with different information requirements and levels of interest.
For instance, the research gives examples of what needs to be in place at organisational, managerial and practitioner levels within social services and inter-agency groups to achieve quality assessments for children in need.
However, an analysis of the time and financial implications of undertaking core assessments was not based on adequate data, and this area merits further investigation. The cost effectiveness of assessment and intervention can then be more fully evaluated.
I would particularly recommend this book to elected members and senior managers from health, education and social services with responsibility for taking forward the integration agenda in children's services.
The essential elements for effective change management in relation to the implementation of an assessment framework are identified.
But whether these new assessment frameworks lead to improved outcomes for the most vulnerable children will be dependent on leadership in the planning and implementation process.
- Reviewed by Emma McWilliam, service manager, children's services, Stirling Council.
Assessing Children's Needs and Circumstances - the Impact of the
Assessment Framework
By Hedy Cleaver and Steve Walker
JKP
ISBN 1843101599
335pp
19.95
