Assessment in Social Work

by Milner, Judith; O'Byrne, Patrick

• ISBN13: 9780230218628
• ISBN10: 0230218628
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-04-15
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Summary

Assessment is a vital social work task. This popular text gives a clear overview of the complex issues it raises and the essential theory professionals need to conduct meaningful and effective assessments. The third edition includes two brand new chapters on assessment in children's and adults' services and an attractive new design.

Author Biography

JUDITH MILNER and PATRICK O'BYRNE were both, until recently, Senior Lecturers in Social Work at the University of Huddersfield. They now practise on a freelance and consultancy basis.

Table of Contents

List of Tables and Figures	p. viii
Acknowledgements	p. ix
Introduction	p. 1
Assessment in the Twenty-First Century	p. 3
Defining assessment	p. 3
How working hypotheses are developed	p. 5
Checking assumptions 1	p. 7
Checking assumptions 2	p. 9
Checking assumptions 3	p. 9
Checking assumptions 4	p. 11
The changing legal context and its impact on practice	p. 13
Evidence-based practice	p. 17
Uncertainty	p. 18
Anti-Oppressive Practice	p. 22
Wider theoretical perspectives	p. 22
Power	p. 24
The ‘isms’	p. 26
Implications of anti-oppressive practice for assessments	p. 30
Negotiating perceptions	p. 31
Similarities and differences	p. 35
Critical comment	p. 42
Outcomes	p. 43
Effective Assessment Processes	p. 48
Wider policy perspectives	p. 48
Assessment as process or event	p. 51
Three approaches to assessment work	p. 53
A framework for assessment	p. 55
The stages of assessment	p. 61
Selecting a Map	p. 67
The theory thicket	p. 67
The trouble with certainty	p. 69
Map selection	p. 71
‘Locating’ the problem	p. 72
The spiral of data, theory and analysis	p. 74
Finding the truth–the road to constructionism	p. 77
Naming the maps	p. 79
A Map of the Ocean: Psychodynamic Approaches	p. 83
Introduction	p. 83
Wider theoretical perspectives	p. 84
Defences	p. 86
Ego functions	p. 88
Transactional analysis	p. 89
Implications of a psychodynamic approach for assessment	p. 91
Attachment theory	p. 92
How attachment theory informs assessment	p. 96
Caution in applying attachment theories	p. 97
Critical comment	p. 98
Outcomes	p. 99
An Ordnance Survey Map: Behavioural Approaches	p. 101
Introduction	p. 101
Wider theoretical perspectives	p. 102
Traditional behaviour modification	p. 102
Cognitive-behavioural theory	p. 109
Critical comment	p. 118
Outcomes	p. 119
A Handy Tourist Map: The Task-Centred Approach	p. 122
Wider theoretical issues	p. 122
Problem classification	p. 123
Problem causation	p. 125
From wants to goals	p. 126
Task selection	p. 129
Obstacles to problem-solving	p. 135
Critical comment	p. 136
Outcomes	p. 138
A Navigator's Map: Solution-Focused Approaches	p. 140
Wider theoretical issues	p. 141
Assumptions	p. 142
Implications of solution-focused approaches for assessments	p. 144
Practice techniques	p. 146
Tasks	p. 149
Meeting agency requirements and service user needs	p. 153
A solution-focused safety approach	p. 153
Implications of a solution-focused safety approach for assessment	p. 158
Critical comment	p. 160
Outcomes	p. 161
A Forecast Map: Narrative Approaches	p. 164
Wider theoretical perspectives	p. 165
Implications for assessments	p. 167
Practice techniques	p. 169
Meeting agency requirements and service user needs	p. 178
Critical comment	p. 179
Outcomes	p. 180
Assessment in Children's Services	p. 182
Introduction	p. 182
The statutory framework	p. 183
The continuum of needs and services	p. 185
Types of assessments and processes in child protection	p. 186
Values and principles	p. 190
Theoretical and research evidence on the aetiology and maintenance of child abuse	p. 191
Assessing risk: problems with the research evidence	p. 193
Check your assumptions	p. 195
Assessment of need	p. 196
Assessing the wishes of children	p. 198
Critical comment	p. 202
Difficulties in intra-and inter-agency decision-making	p. 204
Assessment in Adults' Services	p. 208
The statutory framework	p. 209
The Mental Capacity Act 2005	p. 210
The Mental Health Act 2007	p. 211
Types of assessments	p. 211
Carer's needs assessment	p. 214
Fair Access to Care Services (FACS)-assessing for eligibility	p. 215
Self-assessment, individual budgets and direct payment	p. 216
The care planning approach	p. 216
Risk-taking–values and principles	p. 216
Supported decision-making	p. 217
Older people	p. 220
People with mental health problems	p. 221
People with dual diagnosis	p. 228
People with physical impairment	p. 229
People with learning difficulties	p. 232
Parents with learning difficulties	p. 236
People with challenging behaviour	p. 237
Critical comment	p. 238
Conclusion-Essentials to Think About	p. 243
Appendix	p. 245
References	p. 248
Author index	p. 269
Subject index	p. 275
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