Improving Child and Family Assessments

The quality of the assessment of children in need has asignificant impact on outcomes for the children concerned.Good assessment contributes to better outcomes, but poorassessment can have tragic consequences. Understanding what makes a good assessment is vital.This book brings together findings from 10 years of UKresearch that shed light on different aspects of child and familyassessment, and examines the evidence for what works inpromoting the best outcomes for children. It covers thresholdsfor assessment and intervention, what information should becollected in assessments, and assessments in different contexts. It also examines key aspects of practice and the factors that can help or hinder good quality assessment. These areas include analysis, critical thinking and reflection; engaging with children and families; and inter-professional working. Structural, procedural and organisational factors are also considered.In summarising the research, this important book provides keymessages on the links between assessment and outcomes forchildren, and offers implications for policy and practice. It willbe essential reading for all social work practitioners, academics,students and researchers, and all those in the child protectionfield.