What to expect from a social workers assessment

During public law proceedings concerning a child, the social worker will carry out a parenting assessment to determine whether it is in the child’s best interests to remain with or return to the care of one or both parents.

There are a number of different areas that the social worker will consider when carrying out their assessment. They are split into 3 areas – the developmental needs of the child, parenting capacity and family and environmental factors.

When the social worker is considering the developmental needs of the child they will take into account the health of the child and whether the parent/s can meet the health needs of the child for example seeking appropriate medical and dental treatment, they will consider the child’s educational development looking at access to educational books and toys and interaction with other children and they will consider the child’s relationship with parents.

When the social worker is considering the parenting capacity they will look at whether the parent/s can provide basic care such as feeding, bathing and ensuring that the child is safe in their care.

When the social worker is considering the family and environmental factors they will look at the wider family, whether the parents have appropriate housing for a child and resources that are available in the local community.

The Local Authority will usually provide parents with a plan for the assessment sessions including the date and time and the topics that will be covered.

For further information, please contact enquiries@tmjlegal.co.uk.