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Contents

1.	Process for Referral to the Family Assessment Centre
	1.1	Assessment Types
	1.2	Assessment Agreements
	1.3	Progress Meetings
	1.4	Reports
	1.5	Issues of Contention
	1.6	Arbitration
	Appendix A: Criteria to Indicate where a Community Based Assessment is Appropriate and Acceptable

1.  Process for Referral to the Family Assessment Centre

Enquiries regarding the type of service required can be provided by John Donnelly (Ext.5166) or Caroline Hale (Ext.3479) who will forward an electronic copy of the Family Assessment Centre Statement of Purpose and Function and Service Users Guide to referring social workers. Copies of Regulatory Authority Inspection Reports are also available.

Approval to seek a placement should be made at a Planning Meeting, Case Conference or a Looked After Review.

Requests for residential and community based assessments will be considered by the Admissions Panel which meets monthly. Copies of requests should be E-Mailed to Christine Ballinger Chair of the Panel with copies to John Donnelly, Wendy Westwood and Caroline Hale.

If a Community Based Assessment is being considered referring social workers should check the criteria in Appendix A: Criteria to Indicate where a Community Based Assessment is Appropriate and Acceptable.

Requests should be accompanied by the Initial Assessment Form. 

Requests must contain:

• Background information,
• Family details,
• Who would be placed at the unit - family members?
• Contact requirements,
• What type of assessment required - any specific features,
• What length of assessment is thought appropriate?
• When would be the ideal start time - could there be a delayed start?
• If the assessment is successful, where will the family go to afterwards?
• What are the plans if it fails?
• Are the family willing to cooperate?
• Are the family well motivated?
• What are the alternatives that have been tried?
• What are the alternatives that could be tried if a placement is not available?
• Legal status?
• What are the risks to staff?
• Social Worker and contact number.

Where the decision is that an assessment is required, the Panel will decide what package of assessment to offer, this may be a community based assessment but this will only be offered if the family meet the criteria for the community based assessment (see Appendix A: Criteria to Indicate where a Community Based Assessment is Appropriate and Acceptable.)

Decisions will be notified to the Social Worker and Team Manager via email, following the Panel meeting.

Following acceptance for an assessment package, an introductory visit and meeting will be planned where additional information will be obtained (e.g. health/dietary/visitors access.) 

1.1  Assessment Types

There are two basic types of assessment:

1. Comprehensive assessment e.g. a contribution to the Core Assessment.  This is when the centre contributes a part to the Social Worker's Core Assessment.
2. Stand alone assessment which focus on issues of lifestyle which influence the ability to parent effectively such as;
   1. Basic parenting skills,
   2. Budget and household management,
   3. Relationships between parents and others,
   4. Abuse of drugs or solvents,
   5. Ability to provide a safe environment.

1.2  Assessment Agreements

Assessment agreements will be tailored to meet individual family needs and will be drawn up prior to the start of the assessment.  The assessment agreement must be signed by all parties on admission to the centre.

1.3  Progress Meetings

Regular progress meetings for residential assessments should always be held on a formal basis in the centre.  Progress meetings for community based assessments should be held in the family home. 

Decisions as to who should chair should be discussed and agreed at the assessment agreement stage.

The composition of the weekly progress should include where appropriate Legal Services, Children's Social Care and parents representatives, health professionals, Children's Guardia., Family Centre/Nursery staff, Family Advocate.

For all assessments, Centre staff will minute the meetings (Note: These minutes may be required by court)

1.4  Reports

Staff at the Centre will produce a report for the progress meeting.  This will be supported by checklist evidence where appropriate.

An Interim Report will be produced by Centre staff if requested by the Social Worker.

At the end of the assessment period staff will produce a final report regardless of the length of assessment or the outcome.

1.5  Issues of Contention

Where there is contention with regards to the assessment proceeding, there will need to be an urgent meeting of the professionals involved.

1.6  Arbitration

If a conflict arises that cannot be resolved with the progress meetings' advice will be sought from the Chair of the Family Assessment Panel who will arbitrate.

Appendix A: Criteria to Indicate where a Community Based Assessment is Appropriate and Acceptable

1. Where there are no incidents of significant physical and/or sexual abuse by the parent/carer involved in the assessment.
2. Where parent(s) / carer(s) are sufficiently motivated to co-operate and work with the Directorate and other professionals.
3. Where the level of risk is considered to be manageable within the community.
4. Where there evidence is to suggest that there maybe a likely hood of Significant Harm but there is no immediate risk to the child/children.
5. Where there is no evidence to suggest that there is a risk of violence to staff.
6. Where the accommodation or the proposed future accommodation (that is to be used when the family leaves the Family Assessment Centre) has been assessed as acceptable for the child.
7. Where there is an expectation that an acceptable level of safety and hygiene can be met.

Process Requirements to Enable an Assessment to Commence or Continue

Following the Panel decision the following elements need to be incorporated in the assessment agreement:

1. The composition of the household does not change without agreement.
2. Clear agreement of circumstances which would automatically terminate the community based assessment.
3. An understanding that at review a decision may be made that assessments need to be extended.
4. An undertaking signed by parents(s)/carer(s) agreeing to the terms and conditions of the assessment.
5. An open recording system in place which the parent(s)/carer(s) have been informed about, and which all staff complete regularly.
6. A fortnightly progress meeting of those involved in the assessment  to take place unless a variation has been agreed. Weekly meetings may be chaired by either the Team manager (at least on a four weekly basis) or the area key worker/social worker to address the Care Planning aspects of the case. Clear and concise minutes to be taken of these meetings by Family Assessment Centre staff.
7. In the event of an emergency an arrangement in place that ensures staff are aware of parents whereabouts so that they can be contacted at all times.
8. Family Assessment Centre staff to produce a report for the monthly progress meeting.

End