Early identification and support – Test Test your knowledge Questions for Early identification and support In order for us to provide you confirmation of your scores, please provide the following details: Name Organisation 1. Mark 3 characterisations of Early Help: Single agency Preventative For under 5 Remedial Protective 2. The correct meaning of remedial work is: Working at the early stage of a problem before it becomes entrenched Working with all agencies to find a solution to problems Working with a family affected by special educational needs 3. Working Together 2013 sets out that Early Help assessments of families should be completed by: A Social Worker A Lead Professional The family A Teacher4. A Lead Professional can be any professional involved with a family. True False5. A referral has been made to the Children’s Duty Team. A mother has telephoned in a distressed state due to the school having informed her that they are going to fine her for her 13 year old son’s poor school attendance. She says she just cannot get him to go to school and is it at the end of her tether. She adds that she feels depressed. The family were known to Children’s Service’s 5 years ago due to neglect, but the mother demonstrated progress the children were only on a child protection plan for 6 months. Is this suitable to pass on for an Early Help assessment? Yes No6. During an Early Help assessment a mother shares with her family support worker that she is using MCAT (mephedrone). She asks the support worker not to disclose this to anyone. What should the family support worker do? Not say anything because she needs to maintain the mother’s cooperation and confidentiality Try and encourage the mother to say something, but if the mother does not say anything the support worker should not share this information Tell the mother that she has a duty as a professional to share any information that may place the children at risk. She would like the mother to share this of her own accord, but if the mother does not share it she will have to do it for her 7. If a family refuses an Early Help assessment a referral to children social care should: Always be made Only made if there are concerns with regards to an immediate and or continued risk of harm to children8. Tick all that apply: Early Help support can only be provided to families with their consent Early help support can only be completed with families previously known to children’s social care where there have been child protection concerns Early help can only be tried once with a family Early help should involve all agencies9. Graham Allen’s 2011 review of Early Help is based on which principle: Giving children and parents the right type of evidence based programmes, between the ages of 0-18, especially in their earliest years Giving parents the right tools, as early as possible, to prevent re referrals to children’s social care10. Early Help can prevent problems in a cost effective way and prevent the need for: Child protection work and care proceedings An overuse of professionals11. When working with a family, practitioners should (select all that are relevant): Take an authoritarian approach? Work in partnership with the family Be non-judgemental Explain to the family what is expected of them Not tell the family what might happen if they do not make the necessary changes Tell the family when behaviours are not acceptable Encourage parents to be over-optimistic about their progress See children on their own where there are safeguarding concerns Not involve children in discussions Work with other agencies to plan and deliver services Not involve wider members of the family when there are child protection concerns12. In terms of identification and support for families, which of the following statements are true? It is easy to identify which families need support It is best to provide support for as short a time as possible A range of services are needed to support families Parent's motivation to change is important Parent's will always change their behaviour if they are provided with support To be able to make the necessary changes parents need to take responsibility for their actions It is important to maintain a focus on the child in the face of complex adult problems13. Below is a checklist of some examples of good practice in identifying and supporting families. Tick all those that you currently do, and reflect upon any changes you need to make to improve your practice I take account of all the risk factors when assessing a family's needs I use a recognised assessment framework to assess a family's needs I take account of the family history when doing assessments I make sure I see children alone when there are safeguarding concerns, and take their views into account I work closely with practitioners in other agencies in identifying needs I work closely with practitioners in other agencies to provide support to familiesThank you for completing the questions in this learning resource for Early identification and support. Confirmation of your score will be emailed to you shortly. Back to tabs
