This evidence snapshot provides a top-level summary of findings from research published between 2010 and 2022 about assessment practice in children's social work.
Research and reviews1,2,3,4,5 have identified key characteristics of good assessment practice, including:
This snapshot looks at challenges to, and enablers of, effective assessments.
References
Cook, L. and Gregory, M. (2020) Making sense of sensemaking: conceptualising how child and family social workers process assessment information. Child Care in Practice, 26(2): pp. 182-195
Ten practice points designed to help social workers reflect on what makes a good quality assessment.
Social work practitioners explain what effective pre-birth assessments look like and how they play an important role in safeguarding babies.
Insight from case reviews around best practice in conducting assessments.
