Family Support Resource Services (SSD), Lancaster Essay

The Common Assessment Framework 2009 aims to identify additional need and promotes information sharing and coordination of services. Working Together to Safeguard 2003 outlines legal requirements for safeguarding, promoting welfare, roles and responsibilities of professionals and working together to keep children safe. The Munro Review 2012 regards the rights, wishes and feelings to shape the provision of services. The Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements of the Statutory Framework for EYFS 2014 outlines responsibilities for childcare providers for children 0-5 years. Special Educational Needs and Disability Code 2014 provides guidance relating to promoting the welfare of children and young people with special educational needs and

Children, young people and Families: Families of children with additional needs are likely to be in contact with many different agencies and professionals - for example health, education, social services, housing and benefits. For example, families with disabled children see on average ten different professionals and have more than 20 clinic visits a year (Sloper, 2004). Often families don't understand the roles and responsibilities of different agencies and professionals; they don't know who to go to for what; they may get conflicting information; they may be passed from one agency to another. This can produce rather than alleviate stress for parents and carers, which in turn impacts on relationships with their

Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 places a duty on local authorities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in need and to promote the upbringing of children by their families, so far as this is consistent with their welfare duty to the child, by providing an appropriate range and level of services. A child in need is one who is disabled, or unlikely either to achieve a reasonable standard of health or whose health or development will suffer unless services are provided.

This essay will identify a case I have been involved in and have continuously had to assess whilst on placement. It will refer to a child who will be identified as A. A is a young carer and has only recently returned home after being removed from his mothers care due to her having a substance abuse problem and mental health concerns. I will link the legal framework that was relevant to this case study and describe actions taken. Additionally these actions will demonstrate the application of social work methods and theories that were contributive elements in his intervention, offering explanations as to why these particular methods were used. Before closing, the essay will review any issues of discrimination with a reflection of the

Share any information that may be useful in assessments made regarding the child’s needs and circumstances.

Sometimes needs may be found essential to the child. However it could be parenting skills that then could be harmful for the child’s wellbeing. For example, A sick parent may need practical and emotional support depending on the illness and the developing needs of the child. Therefore in these cases the social workers should provide package of support services at the home. However if parents are disabled then the child may not be identified as need but that could be a factor. However under the section 17 of the act the child is able to be looked after their parent at home. However in other circumstances such as social problems, relationship problem in the family, then a support of respite care may be withstand the child’s longer term wellbeing with in the family.

In my area of Feltham we have Alf Kings which parents can attend drop ins,staff at children's centres can bring support into the centre to support families.

Under section 11 of the Children Act 2004 a range of organisations and individuals working with families have statutory duties to ensure the welfare and protection of children. Section 11 places a duty on:

All children and young people are different and have different needs. Similarly, a family’s ability to respond to and meet all their needs may also differ. In some circumstances, professional assessment may be required to identify strengths and needs, to ensure that all children, young people and their families receive appropriate support.

The service user has various assessments of need undertaken, this allows practioners to create plans and to regularly review the plans put in place for children and young people. Watson and West (2006), argue that good social work practice is good quality assessment, assessments inform evaluations and judgements. Assessment is about critically analysing information from a range of sources to determine need, eligibility and risk. Assessments involve a collaborative process; ensuring people participate and take as much control as possible in identifying their own needs. From the social work point of view, all professional judgments should be balanced and substantiated. Moreover, a perspective that sees the 'whole system' and the interconnected

Social care values are highly important to take into account when working with this family. A value can be described as; our views and beliefs about what we feel is important to us, useful and are of worth, we hold our values in high regard. Focusing on non-discriminatory practice will be important, to show equality and diversity to the whole family. This can be achieved by portraying a non-judgmental attitude towards each individual family member taking into consideration their background or circumstances. It would be easy for someone without a care background of knowledge and experience, to pre-judge this family by making a negative pre-conceived judgement about them as there has been history of drugs and alcohol abuse, violence, learning disabilities (autism) and mental health problems. (Bingham E, 2009, P.20)

One issue highlighted is that there is a failure to implement good practice despite that fact that there were established frameworks in place. Another problem identified is that there is a failure to share sources of information which could have contributed to a better understanding of children and families. Finally, there is often insufficient consideration given to the child’s individual views and needs. This meant that the child’s voice was not heard and listened to. When the LSCB conduct a serious case review, they follow statutory guidance set out in government legislation such as the Working Together to Safeguard Children (2013) document. This document emphasises the importance of a child centred and integrated approach to safeguarding. It details 2 key principles that should be underpinned in every local area to achieve effective safeguarding of children and young people. These are are ‘safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility: for services to be effective each professional and organisation should play their full part’ and that a ‘child centred approach; for services to be effective they should be based on a clear understanding of the needs and views of children’. The document highlights the importance of services working together, learning from their own practices to improve standards and quality of care for the welfare

Furthermore, after mum explained the events which had unfolded I can understand the reason for her distrust of social workers. Mum feels that social services appoint ‘blame’ and work against her and her partner. Mum talked about being lied to and deceived, as opposed to ensuring the parents feel involved and empowered in decisions which affect the family. However, I am aware that the need to safeguard the children may have accounted for disallowing the parents from having too much influence or say in developments.

According to section 10 of the Children Act 2004, each local authority has a duty to co-operate in improving the welfare of a child. Under this section the local authority must consider the significance of parents and other persons caring for children. Section 10 also states that a local authority should seek to improve the physical, mental, and emotional well being of children; protect them from harm and neglect, and improve their social and economic well being (Children Act, 2004). This is

This essay shall be based on the assumption that I am a Local authority social worker given the case referral of Stephanie and Stephen. The essay shall be focusing on the laws, policy and procedures that will guide through the assessment process of this case and how these can be used to meet the needs of all concerned. The assignment includes discussions on some of the key aspects of framework for the assessment of children in need and their families and The Children’s Act 1989, in particular section 17, duty to safeguard and I will incorporate anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practice.