Comparación crítica con la literatura existente

3.32 Gathering information and making sense of a family’s situation are key phases in the process of assessment. It is not possible to do this without the knowledge and involvement of the family. It requires direct work with children and with family members, explaining what is happening, why an assessment is being undertaken, what will be the process and what is likely to be the outcome. Gaining the family’s co- operation and commitment to the work is crucially important. Families often have a number of fears and anxieties about approaching social services departments for help or about being referred to them by other agencies. Parents are fearful, for instance, that they will be perceived as failing in some way (Cleaver and Freeman, 1995; Aldgate and Bradley, 1999). They are also very clear about what they value from the professionals they meet, even in the most difficult circumstances. In particular, parents ask for clear explanations, openness and honesty, and to be treated with respect and dignity. Children’s needs for explanations of what is happening may sometimes be overlooked. They should be informed clearly and sensitively even when they do not communicate through speech and where professionals may be unclear how much of what is being said is understood. They do not want to be kept in the dark or patronised. Studies have found that ‘children are particularly sensitive to professionals who treat them personally, with care, and above all respect’ (Jones and Ramchandani, 1999). It is especially important to help children handle uncertainty while plans are being formulated.

3.33 Different ways of providing explanations to families have been developed, some in written form accompanying the use of local authority records or materials for gathering information, which are shared with family members. An example of one such approach developed by a local authority is included above (Figure 6). Other local authorities have produced leaflets for families or use materials published by specialist

What is an assessment?

● Either you, or someone else on your behalf, has asked the social services

departments for help with some difficulty you are having which affects your child (or children).

● Before we can help you, we need to know more about you and your family. This

will involve collecting information, talking this through with you and agreeing what might be done. We call this an assessment.

Why is an assessment being carried out?

● Through making an assessment of your situation, it should be possible to see

what help and support you and your family might need, and who could best give that help.

● Information will be gathered and written down. Although social workers and

other professionals will normally take the lead in completing the assessment, this should always be done in a way which helps you to have your say, and

encourages you to take part.

● Any information you give to us will be held in confidence within the social

services department. If there is a need to discuss this information with anyone else, we will normally ask for your permission. The only exception to this is if information comes to light which, in the social worker's view, may indicate a serious threat to the welfare of your child. If this is the case, you will be told what your rights are in this new situation.

What will happen?

● Completing an assessment usually means the social worker will meet with you

and members of your family a number of times.

● When children are old enough to take part in the assessment, the social worker

will encourage and help them to do so.

● The assessment will take into consideration your ethnic and cultural background.

If required, help will be provided in your first language.

● When other people are already helping you and your family, it is likely the social

worker will talk to them too. We shall discuss this with you.

● If you do not agree with what the social worker says in the assessment, there will

be an opportunity for you to record your point of view on the assessment record.

● The purpose of assessment is to draw up a plan of action to address the needs of

your child (or children) and how you might need help to respond to these. You will be given a copy of the plan.

What will be expected of you?

● We know that almost all parents want to do their best for their children, and

completing the assessment will help the social workers recognise the strengths you and your family have, as well as your difficulties.

● We can help you best if you tell us about what you do well in your family and

your difficulties. We will keep you informed about what we are doing and thinking.

● An assessment is an important part of our working with you. In a very small

number of cases, there are serious concerns about a child’s safety. Making sure the child is safe will be our first concern. Please ask your social worker to explain this to you. You have a right to know.

Figure 6 Explaining Assessment to Family Members: An Example Accompanying a

groups such as Family Rights Group, NSPCC or Who Cares? Trust. Key to the use of written materials is that they must be accompanied by direct communication and involvement by practitioners with family members and that repeated explanations may be necessary.

3.34 The issues of working with children and families where there are concerns that a child is being maltreated are explored in The Challenge of Partnership in Child Protection (Department of Health, 1995a). That publication provides detailed practice guidance about how to work with families throughout the process of enquiries being made and action taken to protect a child. It warns that ‘those under the stress associated with allegations of child abuse may drift away from a working method which is sensitive to families’ needs and which encourages their participation in the process’ (p.46). 3.35 There will be situations where family members do not wish to work co-operatively

with statutory agencies. This may be for a variety of reasons; they are too afraid or they believe they or their child have no problem or they are generally hostile to public welfare agencies. They may be resistant because of the nature of their own difficulties, such as psychiatric illness or problems of alcohol and drug misuse, or because of allegations being made against them. Whatever the reasons for their resistance, the door to co-operation should be kept open. At the very least, family members should be informed of what is happening and how they could participate more fully. Ways should be explored to engage some family members in the assessment process. The experience of research and practice confirms that, even after initial difficulties, the prospect of working in partnership with one or more family members may not be lost for ever, and that to do so will have long term beneficial outcomes for the child and family. The desirability of working with family members, however, must not override the importance of ensuring that children are safe.

3.36 Where there is resistance, ‘a determination not to be overwhelmed, distracted or immobilised by the parents’ initial response is essential’ (Department of Health, 1995a). However, in a small number of instances, resistance to co-operation by a parent is accompanied by overtly aggressive, abusive or threatening behaviour or by more subtle underlying menace. Staff may be aware of the threat and in response either avoid family contact or unwisely place themselves in situations of danger (Cleaver et al, 1998). It is in these circumstances that access to available, skilled, expert supervision is essential so that the nature of the threat can be understood, the implications for the child and other family members identified and strategies found for maintaining work with the family. These may include co-working with

What can you expect of us?

● We will listen carefully to what you have to say, offer advice and, if necessary,

support to help you bring up your children and resolve your difficulties.

● We know that with a little help most families can sort out their own problems,

and our aim is to help you do that.

● We will try our best to offer you any services you need as soon as possible. But

there are often many more people needing services than there are services to give. This means that sometimes although everyone is agreed that you need a service, it might not be available at the time. If this happens we will always look to find an alternative, but we cannot guarantee to provide a particular service.

experienced staff within or across agencies, changing times and venue for meetings with the family and other measures. Concerns about such matters should always be taken seriously and acted upon. It may be necessary to involve the expertise of profes- sionals from a number of agencies to arrive at an understanding of the risks a particular individual may pose to the safety of staff, as well as to family members.