families

Incorporating an understanding of poverty into assessments of children and their families

Practitioners often have to undertake assessments of children and their families who are living in poverty. To help improve the consistency and quality of these assessments the Government introduced the Framework for the Assessment of children in need and their families (DH, 2000). This learning object lets you explore the framework and its many dimensions. With the help of Barbara, a social worker, you will use the framework to assess the Johnson family, gaining an understanding of how the framework can help you in assessing the needs of children and families in your daily role.

Evaluation of the working for families fund (2004-2008)

This report summarises the findings of the Final Evaluation of the Working for Families Fund (WFF). WFF, which operated from 2004-08, invested in initiatives to remove childcare barriers and improve the employability of disadvantaged parents who have barriers to participating in the labour market, specifically to help them move towards, into, or continue in employment, education or training. The programme was administered by 20 local authorities (which covered 79% of Scotland’s population), operating through around 226 locally based public, private and third-sector projects.

Blueprint for the Processing of Children’s Hearings Cases : Inter-agency Code of Practice and National Standards

The Time Intervals Working Group was set up in 1997 to report on the processing of cases through the children’s hearings system. Following wide consultation, the first Blueprint, containing a Code of Practice and associated standards and targets, was published in March 1999. The objective was to identify and minimise areas of inconsistency, duplication and unnecessary delay at key points within the system, so that children at risk have their needs addressed effectively at an early stage.

Significant Legislation in Work with Children and Families

This is an introduction to significant legislation in the field of child care other than The Children (Scotland) Act 1995. It is the third in a series of sessions in this resource which can be used together. The first two dealt with children’s rights and Children (Scotland) Act 1995. They have been re-structured for independent use, but can still be used in sequence. The final session deals with (social work) departmental procedure (this could be adapted for use by other agencies).This section is a trainer input via a Powerpoint presentation with handouts.

Children caring for themselves and child neglect: when do they overlap?

For some families leaving a child alone is a necessity because of lack of other options. For others it is a symptom of parental neglect. Understanding the differences between these situations is a challenge for child protective services agencies. This is the report of a study to examine how local child welfare agencies respond when they receive reports of children who are taking care of themselves.

Scotland's Children : Children (Scotland) Act 1995 : Research Findings No 4 : Home Supervision

This study of home supervision conducted from 2000-2002 was commissioned by the Scottish Executive. The research team obtained data from social work case records; reporters; panel members; teachers; social workers; families; a national data set of children on home supervision; and key informants in local authorities. The overall aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of home supervision in promoting beneficial changes in the life of the child.