Social work assessments: Part 2: the revised guidance

Elizabeth Isaacs QC St Ives Chambers Whittall Street Birmingham

Carmel Shepherd Independent Social Worker

Part 1 of this article considered the historical context of interagency guidance for local authorities and other agencies working with children the recent recommendations for change from the Munro Review and the legal framework surrounding social work assessments including recent case law. Part 2 goes on to examine in detail the revised guidance in Working Together which has been effective since April 2013. Key fundamental changes to the revised guidance are identified including the new duties on local authorities to comply with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. For the first time the revised guidance explicitly applies the principles and purpose of assessments of children - the previous distinctions between children in need child protection children with disabilities and leaving care are now collapsed into a single definition. The key principles of best practice in assessments are outlined including focusing on the needs and views of the child developing a clear analysis focusing on outcomes and timeliness...

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