Aiming for Positive Outcomes for Children from First Contact to Closure

Sue Tolley, Barnardos

Bronwen Elliott, Good Praxis P/L

Positive Outcomes for Children

Engaging the parent is not enough Beyond ‘trickle down’ Not allowing child and family to drift

It doesn’t matter how good the assessment is, the family has to feel that our help will make a difference.

The assessment is for us - the family already knows what their problems are.

SCARF Development

From UK Children in Need Shared philosophy - respectful

engagement, enhanced child outcomes

Four years local development Development continuing

SCARF Tools

Information Management Assessment (Basic and

Specialised) Planning Review

Input from local staff and families led to: More explicit identification of strengths Simpler language Shorter process Expanded review tools Better fit of assessment process to real

life

Challenges on the way to positive outcomes Families can’t wait for an assessment before

they get help ‘Ongoing assessment’ Comprehensive v overwhelming case plans Diminishing returns - gap between paper

work and practice Drifting rather than closing

Addressing Challenges Assessment and action in parallel Child and Family Assessment as ‘snapshot’ Clear links between assessment and action Setting priorities and reviewing them with

families, acknowledging their concerns Asking ‘what does new information mean?’ Regularly reviewing purpose of involvement

and asking ‘is this family ready to move forward on their own?’

Implications for staff

Need to understand the rationale for focus on child outcomes, not just which tool to use

May need training in how to name concerns respectfully with families

Support for ongoing skills development - role of on-line learning

Practice that supports positive outcomes for children

Transparency Acknowledging and responding

to the family’s concerns Asking ‘how does this make a

difference for the child?

For More Information on SCARF

www.scarf.org.au

email info@scarf.org.au