Child Services Assessment

The piece of work I have choosing to reflective upon is an Initial Assessment of a family of asylum seekers from Pakistan. The family consisted of a father, mother and their five children ageing from 12 years old to 2 years old. “An Initial assessment serves as a blueprint it will be mortified as ideas are tested out and new data and information is gathered. The social workers will continually reassess the nature of the problem, and the need for support when doing an initial assessment” (Pincus and Minahan, 1973 p 116). This essay will examine and reflect on my organisations practices and policy procedures when dealing with service users SU also discussing my own personal reflection whilst on placement.

Under section 17 of the Children Act 1989 local authorities have a duty to assess the needs of a child in their area who may be deemed to be a Child in Need. Guidance stipulated by section 17 of the Children Act 1989. Particularly part 1 (a) and (b) of the Act states that local authorities have a duty to: “safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area who are in need” (Children Act 1989).

My third year placement was within a Children Services Department of a Local Authority in the Tyne and Wear area. I was based with the Asylum Support Team. The Asylum Team consists of one Principal Social Worker and an assistant. The team works in partnership with other agencies, such as the North East Refugee, Home Office, Education and various statutory and voluntary organisations.

The first point of contact is with the Contact Team or Duty Team if a referral is made out of hours. They will decide whether action or no action is needed. The Contact Team will assess the referral and then transfer them to other teams if the child is deemed to be in need or at risk of significant harm.

The Initial Assessment Team / Initial Response Team is responsible for determine if an Initial Assessment is warranted.

Referrals and the initial assessment process is guided by legislation within the Children Act 1989, 2002 and Every Child Matters 2004, Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families 2000. An initial assessment according to Brayne and Carr (2008) should ask the following questions. “What are the development needs of child? Can the parents/carers of the child respond appropriately to the needs of the child?