Writing Analytical Assessments in Social Work Chris Dyke

About Chris Dyke • Chris has worked in social care roles since 2002 and

Key content • Chronologies • Genograms and ecomaps • How to get it all

‘passive voice’ “it has been reported that the children were beaten and neglected” “a

‘Passive voice’ Ø“Steve beats Amy” Ø“Amy is beaten by Steve” Ø“Amy is beaten by

Headings “this referral was due to substance misuse and physical chastisement in the home,

Headings “there was a domestic incident at the home where both parents were physically

Jargon ASSESSMENT Worried about: Can you imagine saying what you’ve written? A. . .

Jargon USE THEIR WORDS! Copyright © Property of Critical Publishing Ltd 2016

Jargon “The child disclosed that he was experiencing mental and physical harm due to

Jargon “Ryan said: ‘when mum and dad hit each other I take my sisters

Parent’s voice ALWAYS TRIANGULATE. . . Mum says. . . Professional feedback says. .

‘Halfway thinking’ Copyright © Property of Critical Publishing Ltd 2016

The art of knowing what to leave out Copyright © Property of Critical Publishing

The art of knowing what to leave out In front of the judge: Requested

Social work assessments tend to contain. . . Causation Much less of this. .

Potential / background Danger Safety Actual Complicating Risk factors Strength factors Protective factors Protect

"This book is about the art and science of report writing in social work

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About Chris Dyke • Chris has worked in social care roles since 2002 and qualified as a social worker in 2006. • He works as a visiting lecturer to universities and trainer to local and national organisations, while continuing to practice what he teaches, as an expert witness and assessor in the family courts. • He is naturally contrary and instinctively challenges accepted views (including his own) to ensure that he continues to develop. Copyright © Property of Critical Publishing Ltd 2016

‘passive voice’ “it has been reported that the children were beaten and neglected” “a neighbour said that Mr Smith hit his children, and headteacher Ms Jones said that the children were smelly and dirty in school” Copyright © Property of Critical Publishing Ltd 2016

‘Passive voice’ Ø“Steve beats Amy” Ø“Amy is beaten by Steve” Ø“Amy is beaten by her partner” Ø“Amy is beaten” Ø“Amy is a beaten woman” Adapted from Jackson Katz: “Why Domestic Violence is a Men’s Issue” Copyright © Property of Critical Publishing Ltd 2016

Headings “this referral was due to substance misuse and physical chastisement in the home, leading to Amy self-harming” Does this mean. . . ? “this referral was due to mum drinking 2 litres of vodka (which she does at least 4 times a week) and hitting Amy with a metal stick. As a result, Amy jumped off a bridge intending to kill herself” OR “this referral was due to mum smoking a joint of cannabis, arguing with Amy and slapping her. Afterwards, Amy made superficial cuts to her wrists” Copyright © Property of Critical Publishing Ltd 2016

Headings “there was a domestic incident at the home where both parents were physically and verbally aggressive” Does this mean. . . ? “mum and dad had an argument, shouted at each other, and shoved each other in the chest” OR “dad told mum he would kill her, put his hands round his neck and bit her. Mum hit him to get him to let her go. ” Copyright © Property of Critical Publishing Ltd 2016

Jargon “The child disclosed that he was experiencing mental and physical harm due to the incidents and concerns involving his parents including domestic violence and substance misuse” Copyright © Property of Critical Publishing Ltd 2016

Jargon “Ryan said: ‘when mum and dad hit each other I take my sisters upstairs, then I tell them to stop fighting. Dad calls me a fucking baby and one time he punched me. I slapped him back. Him and mum get sleepy when they’ve had too much drugs. That’s when I burn myself with their lighter, when everyone’s asleep so they can’t see’” Copyright © Property of Critical Publishing Ltd 2016

The art of knowing what to leave out In front of the judge: Requested if necessary: More detail as you go down the levels. . . Statement Care Plan Chronology Other assessments, reports, more detailed chronology Detailed records: casenotes, meeting minutes, LAC paperwork, Letters, details of visits Copyright © Property of Critical Publishing Ltd 2016

Social work assessments tend to contain. . . Causation Much less of this. . . Why? Information Lots of this. . . What? Implication Less of this. . . So what? When these are the bits where we’re the experts. . Copyright © Property of Critical Publishing Ltd 2016

"This book is about the art and science of report writing in social work and provides an ‘everything you need to know but were afraid to ask’ account of how to produce concise, analytic writing in social work…” - Joan Fletcher, Head of Social Work at Goldsmiths Copyright © Property of Critical Publishing Ltd 2016