Contents

 

		Foreword
		Preface
Chapter 1 Children in Need
	1.1	Children and Families in England
	1.6	The Extent of Children in Need
	1.11	Children in Need under the Children Act 1989
	1.20	Assessing Children in Need
	1.25	Children who are Suffering or are Likely to Suffer Significant Harm
	1.28	Providing Services
	1.33	Principles Underpinning Assessment of Children in Need
	1.34	Child Centred
	1.36	Rooted in Child Development
	1.39	Ecological Approach
	1.42	Ensuring Equality of Opportunity
	1.44	Working with Children and their Families
	1.48	Building on Strengths as well as Identifying Difficulties
	1.50	Inter-agency Approach to Assessment and Provision of Services
	1.51	A Continuing Process, not a Single Event
	1.56	Action and Services are Provided in Parallel with Assessment
	1.57	Grounded in Evidence
Chapter 2 Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need
	2.1	Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need
	2.3	Dimensions of a Child's Developmental Needs
	2.9	Dimensions of Parenting Capacity
	2.13	Family and Environmental Factors
	2.26	Inclusive Practice
	2.31	Disability Discrimination Act 1995
Chapter 3 The Process of Assessing Children in Need
	3.1	Process of Assessment and Timing
	3.15	S47 and Core Assessment
	3.20	Use of Assessments in Family Proceedings
	3.22	Care Applications and Assessment
	3.25	Disclosure
	3.28	Court Sanctioned Assessments
	3.31	Oral Evidence
	3.32	Working with Children and Families
	3.37	Planning Assessment
	3.41	Communicating with Children
	3.46	Consent and Confidentiality
	3.58	Assessment of Children in Special Circumstances
	3.61	Assessing the Needs of Young Carers
	3.64	The Assessment Framework and Children Looked After
	3.66	Children Being Placed for Adoption
	3.67	Children Leaving Care
Chapter 4 Analysis, Judgement and Decision Making
	4.6	Analysis
	4.12	Judgements
	4.18	Use of Consultation
	4.20	Decision Making
	4.32	Plans for Children in Need
Chapter 5 Roles and Responsibilities in Inter-Agency Assessment of Children in Need
	5.1	Principles of Inter-Disciplinary and Inter-Agency Assessment
	5.5	Corporate Responsibilities for Children in Need
	5.8	Inter-Agency Responsibilities for Assessments of Children in Need
	5.9	Social Services Departments
	5.16	Voluntary and Independent Agencies
	5.17	Health Authority
	5.22	The General Practitioner and the Primary Health Care Team
	5.24	Nurses, Midwives, Health Visitors and School Nurses
	5.26	Paediatric Services
	5.29	Professionals Allied to Health
	5.30	Mental Health Services
	5.40	Psychologists
	5.41	Education Services
	5.52	Special Educational Needs Code of Practice
	5.59	Day Care Services
	5.61	Sure Start
	5.66	Youth Offending Teams
	5.69	Housing
	5.73	Police
	5.76	Probation Services
	5.79	The Prison Service
	5.83	Armed Services
	5.85	Summary
Chapter 6 Organisational Arrangements to Support Effective Assessment of Children in Need
	6.2	Government's Objectives for Children's Social Services
	6.9	Children's Services Planning
	6.14	Departmental Structures and Processes
	6.16	Departmental Protocols and Procedures
	6.18	Commissioning Specialist Assessments
	6.23	A Competent Work Force
	6.26	Supervision of Practice
	6.29	Staff as Members of Learning Organisations
	6.34	Preparing the Ground for Training and Continuing Staff Development
	6.39	Summary
Appendices
Appendix A The Assessment Framework
Appendix B Framework for Analysing Services
Appendix C Referrals Involving a Child (Referral Chart)
Appendix D Using Assessments in Family Proceedings: Practice Issues
Appendix E Data Protection Registrar's Checklist
Appendix F Acknowledgements
Appendix G Bibliography

Prepared 29 March 2000