Core Programme               Level 3

Multi Agency Assessment & Care Planning

Purpose
This course aims to further develop the practice framework for working with families of children & young people. Exploring how practitioners contribute to the multi agency assessment process and their continuing role in the care plans developed for each child/young person.

It will encourage participants to consider what it feels like for the child in families where parenting capacity is compromised.

Target Audience
The course is aimed at practitioners, team leaders and managers from all agencies involved in the care and protection of children and young people who in the course of their work may be required to contribute to the assessment of whether a child/young person's needs are being met.  For staff with experience in this area it is an opportunity to refresh/update their knowledge and skills in this area.   Also relevant to practitioners, team leaders, managers involved in provision of services to adults who are parents/carers of children/young people where there may be concerns that the needs of children/young people are not being met, i.e. adult mental health workers, drug and alcohol workers and those who work with adults with learning disabilities.

Pre requisite Knowledge
Participants must have an understanding of their agenciey's child protection polocies and procedures and have previously attended an introductory course on child protection.

Key Aims and Learning Objectives

Participants will  -

• have reflected on personal attitudes and practice and how that impacts on outcomes for children & young people.
• be more confident in assessing thresholds and the need for appropriate, proportionate and timely  intervention.
• acknowledge the importance of chronologies, analysis and decision making for individual children and young people.
• have more confidence in using assessment "tools /current frameworks" to assist in contributing to the development of a comprehensive multi-agency assessment.
• be clear about the purpose of care planning and the importance of regular multi-agency monitoring and evaluation of progress.
• understand that care planning is a dynamic process that evolves to meet the needs of the individual child/young person.

Source - Scottish Gov't child protection and learning framework