How we provide the highest quality assessments
Our Assessment Framework
Reporting
Our reporting system is fundamental to providing the best service for referring agencies. The assessment itself is an interactive, evidence based process. It considers all aspects of an individual’s (and where two parents are being assessed, a couple’s) parenting capacity. It is fundamental in providing the best service for parents and referring agencies.
Assessment Model
Our reporting system is fundamental to providing the best service for referring agencies. The primary assessment tool we use is the CUBAS assessment model. This is supported by other tools including the Assessment Framework for Children and Families, Video Guidance Interaction work, Sheridan’s model to measure children’s physical development and the ARP model to assess attachment behaviour and mentalising capacity. We have a leading expert in attachment based trauma and parenting, supporting our staff team with their work with families. Our staff have been trained by Professor David Shemmings and his team in the Attachment and Relationship Based Practice (ARP) model. Tools such as these help to provide a comprehensive format and a good indication of parental capacity to provide a good enough standard of parenting in the short and longer term.
All of our social workers are trained licenced assessors in CUBAS, the dynamic parenting assessment model. This evidence based and comprehensive model of assessment meaningfully engages parents in the assessment processes and encourages improved insight and recognition of their children’s needs. In addition to measuring knowledge and skills, CUBAS explores in detail the many factors which can obstruct safer parenting and seeks tangible resolutions. CUBAS evidences strengths, and residual risks / unmet needs, and identifies support requirements. CUBAS is an intervention for change, it is not a teaching programme, however it supplements the support and teaching nature of our placements at Majestic to evaluate parental capacity to learn and develop.
These assessment tools help to provide a comprehensive format and a good indication of the parental capacity to provide good enough parenting in order to meet the developing needs of the child. The conclusion of the assessment report is based on the criteria outlined by the Welfare Checklist. Genograms and ecomaps are incorporated in assessments when appropriate.
Our assessments focus on the importance of secure primary and secondary attachments and we strive for all parents to achieve an understanding of being able to give their children a safe and secure base.
Highly Experienced Assessment Team
Our Teaching Techniques
Our experienced team offer different learning styles and formats to make learning less threatening and more enjoyable. They follow a number of accepted best practice and social work approaches whilst embracing new researched learning methods.
All Residential Family Workers are trained in observation and listening techniques and this forms part of their induction. From these observations, the quality of relationships between parent and child and the child’s attachment to the parent can be assessed.
The child’s appearance and manner are noted, as is the parent’s ability to anticipate and respond to the child’s needs and to show care and affection, the tone of voice when speaking to, or about, the child and the way in which the child is described. Observation of adult-child body language, interactions and behaviours, often provides crucial information.
Teamwork
All staff contribute to the daily records of the parents, which provide the basis for analysis, decision-making and plans about the child and family. Summaries of the daily recordings are incorporated into reviews and reports prepared by the lead assessment worker. A daily assessment record outlining strengths and areas for development is shared with the parents at the end of each day. If any parent has difficulty reading written records support will be given and a member of the staff team will read records to the parent. Where English is not their first language, we use an Interpreter to aid understanding.
Recruitment & Staffing
On recruitment, Residential Family Workers undertake a thorough induction programme during which appropriate training is provided and techniques are explained and discussed. Staff receive regular one to one supervision which provides an opportunity to discuss any difficulties ensure that they are meeting their personal professional goals and the needs of the company. Staff also receive group supervision facilitated by an experienced external group facilitator. Staff meetings are held once a month to discuss case management and all relevant issues pertinent to the service and to review the assessment progress in relation to each family.
Outreach Support
We also offer outreach work and advice regarding the support required when a family leaves Majestic. We feel that it is vital that all families receive a planned exit, identifying specifically the areas of support a parent would need if they were to continue to parent their child in the community.
