Assessment and chronologies

Assessment / chronology of wellbeing needs

GIRFEC/GIRIFF (relevant to all agencies)

  1. What is getting in the way of this child’s or young person’s well-being?
  2. Do I have all the information I need to help this child or young person?
  3. What can I do now to help this child or young person?
  4. What can my agency do to help this child or young person?
  5. What additional help, if any, may be needed from others

Effective assessment is a continuous process that involves gathering and analysing information over time, across contexts, with a child/young person and their parents/carers, and potentially with practitioners from other services.

Principles of effective assessment of wellbeing

  • Taking a child and whole family centred approach.
  • Minimal intervention as early as possible to achieve the best outcome.
  • Collaborative working in partnership with a child/young person, their family, and others who work with them.
  • A focus on identifying needs and risks.
  • Identifying strengths and protective factors building capacity and resilience.
  • Effective and proportionate interventions.
  • Input from partner services to complement assessment and support planning.
  • A clear analysis of the information gathered to inform decisions.
  • Current and historical factors which impact on the child.
  • An evidence-based approach.

Chronologies

An accurate and up-to-date single or multiagency chronology is an important aspect of ongoing assessment.

You should refer to the Single and Multi-Agency Child Chronology Good Practice Guidance to help initiate and maintain a chronology of key information about significant events. It will support you, either as the named person or as the Team Around the Child, when there is more than one service involved.

Useful links