The use of whole family assessment to identify the needs of families ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Department for EducationThe Use of Whole Family Assessment to Identify the Needs of Families with MultipleProblems2.14 The local authorities working with young carers undertake their ownspecialist assessments focused on the needs of young carers and theirfamilies. A number of these areas are using Joseph’s et al. 10 tools tomeasure the extent of caring activities that children and young people areinvolved in, as well as the positive and negative outcomes associated withcaring. The tools also include additional resources to inform individualassessments of need and evaluations of the support provided for youngcarers. These tools can be accessed at http://static.carers.org/files/2248-yc-outcomes-manual-sb-4047.pdfWhy is there a need for Whole Family Assessment?2.15 Local authorities have developed a family focused approach to assessmentbecause of perceived gaps in existing individualised assessments whereissues were not successfully addressed because of problems in the widerfamily. Whole family assessments provide the opportunity to bring togetherindividual assessments to provide an overview of family strengths, risks,relationships and needs.2.16 Taking a whole family approach means that underlying issues can beaddressed:“When I worked in the Youth Offending Team I was workingwith children and young people in isolation, not with theirparents. My work was effective whilst I was working with thechildren and young people but once they went back into theirfamilies their behaviour deteriorated. The Pathfinder is a greatopportunity to work in an environment that is useful to familiesby working with the entire family” (Pathfinder practitioner)10 Joseph, S., Becker, F. and Becker, S. (2009). Manual for Measures of Caring Activities andOutcomes for Children and Young People. London: The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.7
Department for EducationThe Use of Whole Family Assessment to Identify the Needs of Families with MultipleProblems2.17 This approach reflects a view that existing assessment tools did not alwaysassess the needs of the whole family (generally being focused on theindividual) and crucially, did not always examine in detail the complex interrelationshipsbetween family members. Local areas have taken one of twoapproaches:developing a whole family assessment to help understand the issuesfamilies face and why existing support has been unsuccessful. Themost comprehensive of the whole family assessments gather detailedinformation on a wide range of issues for all family members, forexample: physical and mental health issues; alcohol and substancemisuse; employment; housing; debt; parenting; relationships betweenfamily members etc;not developing a new assessment tool but using existing assessmentsand information sources to develop an overview of the whole family’scircumstances and needs, and from this developing a singleaction/delivery support plan.2.18 At the family level, a whole family assessment means that an understandingof the complexity and interrelated nature of the issues faced by families canbe developed. At the delivery level it ensures the right services are involved,that they have an accurate picture of the family’s needs and that the samequestions are not asked more than once. At the delivery level it alsoprovides a coherent and holistic response to families’ needs.At the Family Level2.19 As already identified, local authorities are working with families at risk witha wide range of complex needs. These are likely to include issues related to:poverty, domestic violence, poor mental health, physical health issues,housing and debt issues, worklessness and substance misuse; all resultingin poor outcomes for families and children and young people.2.20 Families with complex needs often face interrelated issues which cannot beaddressed by one service in isolation. In some families, the acute needs ofindividual family members may have been prioritised at the expense ofother family members whose needs are less severe.8
Page 2 and 3: This research report was commission
Page 5 and 6: Department for EducationThe Use of
Page 10: Department for EducationThe Use of
Page 13: Department for EducationThe Use of
Page 51 and 52: ANNEX 1: REFERRAL AND ASSESSMENT: P
Page 53 and 54: Example 2 The Hybrid Model: Durham
Page 55 and 56: Blackpool is considering a new way
Page 57 and 58: Family DetailsSurname Forename DOB
Page 59 and 60: Family InformationPlease give detai
Page 61 and 62: SummaryWhat needs to change?Think F
Page 63 and 64: Development of unborn baby, infant,
Page 65 and 66:
SummaryWhat needs to change?Think F
Page 67 and 68:
GP’s Details - Are there any issu
Page 69 and 70:
Mental HealthHow would you rate thi
Page 71 and 72:
ParentingHow would you rate this ar
Page 73 and 74:
Contract PlanInitial/Review Meeting
Page 75 and 76:
Page 3 of 7Child / Young Person’s
Page 77 and 78:
Page 5 of 7PlanTo meet outcomes; to
Page 79 and 80:
Page 7 of 7Families views on meetin
Page 81 and 82:
What would you like to change? (To
Page 83 and 84:
Domain onFamilyAssessmentInitial Sc
Page 85 and 86:
ANNEX 3: ISLINGTON COUNCIL WHOLE FA
Page 87 and 88:
Circumstances leading to referral a
Page 89 and 90:
AddressRoleOrganisationWhole family
Page 91 and 92:
2. Child profilesEvidence-based not
Page 93 and 94:
Self-care skills and independenceBe
Page 95 and 96:
Family’s commentsThis section sho
Page 97 and 98:
BOLTON COUNCIL FAMILY PLAN AND GUID
Page 99 and 100:
(Parent/carer(s))____________Identi
Page 101 and 102:
BOLTON: GUIDANCE ON FORMULATING A F
Page 103 and 104:
What to include in a Family Plan A
Page 105:
Ref: DFE-RR045ISBN: 978-1-84775-807
show all

The use of whole family assessment to identify the needs of families ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?