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35 Years Ago Assessment is not an isolated entity, nor is it an end in
itself. In some quarters one hears of assessment spoken of in hushed whispers as
though it were some magical process, the prerogative of specially selected staff
who operated in generally better working conditions than their colleagues in the
homes and with a generally higher salary. I do not suggest that they should not
work in well-equipped establishments, or be well paid, but surely it is a
strange system which devotes a large proportion of its best resources to making
the initial investigation at the expense of providing adequate conditions and
skilled staff to do the very job itself. Assessment is not a once and for all
process. The needs of children can only be assessed in relation to the time
scale within which they are in care. Children's needs do not remain static
whilst the prescribed form of treatment is carried out. Children continue to
grow and to change, and our assessment of their needs therefore must be a
continuing and ongoing process, if the care we are to give them is to remain
pertinent to their need. This requires that all staff, irrespective of whether
they are involved in the initial assessment process or in carrying out the
treatment, require to develop skill and observation in interpreting behaviour
and adjusting their handling accordingly. All this really emphasises is that
assessment is a never-ending process. This, in my view, should never be
forgotten.
In addition to this there are, I believe, basically two levels: the primary level which is operated by individual or groups of social workers in selecting an agency's caseload. This, is in itself an assessment by the caseworker of those who might be helped by his intervention, or by the provision of a specified form of service. By necessity, I believe most of the work with children will remain within this category, the responsibility of the field worker or residential worker with such advice as is available within the Children's Departments or new Social Work Departments in collaboration with the other services available. My second level concerns assessment in depth by a specialist assessment team operating within a residential setting, or on a peripetetic basis or in a clinic. This would only be provided to expand and deepen the knowledge and understanding of those who have the day-to-day responsibility of making decisions regarding or caring for the children. Referral for assessment in such depth will in most cases be at the initiative of the child care officers and residential workers. The importance of what I have chosen to call primary assessment or day-to-day, agency-based assessment, cannot be underestimated, and social workers should consult, as a matter of routine, teachers, doctors and others with a direct and relevant interest in the child and family when formulating their plans for care. Based on a talk given to the Essex Branch of the Residential Child Care Association on June 10th, 1970, by Mr. D. D. Smyth, Assistant Director of Child Care, Dr. Barnardo's. |
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