carers assessment

[davidsotherhalf]

can a carers assessment be carried out by the carer? was told by sw she will send me some paper to write my needs down. and can a sw do assessment on my dd without seeing her? as sw told me she's done assessment for dd she just guessed what her needs are.

I would first and foremost advise her that she is failing in her duty as a social worker to assess your dd without seeing her as the framework for assessing children advises that seeing the child is of paramount importance. Secondly it is noted in the Laming Green Paper that children should be seen as part of any assessment. She is also not able to guess her needs, she needs to undertake an holsitic assessment which involves gathering information from other agencies such as school, health and any other significant people in you dd's life and indeed any other professionals involved, she also needs to obtain your views as the carer.

In relation to the carer's assessment it is not unusual to be asked to write the assessment yourself highlighting what you feel your needs are then it is her job to discuss it with you and incorporate it into a care plan for your dd so that all the needs of the family are being met.

I hope this helps

I would also add to frustrated's very useful post, it might be worth having a look at the carers assessment paperwork before you write your 'bit'. As it is not unusual for carers to 'miss' some of their needs, not recognising the extent of what they/we do as parents of kids with SN.

Might be worth getting in touch with the local Carers Centre for some support?.

Am at completion of assessment without meeting child. Frankly impossible!

What assessment has she undertaken? (I have known of an authority who used to (for statistical purposes) call the request for help a telephone assessment. This enabled them to fiddle manipulate the figures they had to return about waiting lists. But a full assessment still took place later.)

the assessment is for applying for funding for dd to go to residential college at easter but sw told me she couldn't do assessment due to time limits (she only had 6 months notice)now have been told the assessment can't be used till dd is 18(oct) because the sw is adult sw not childrens sw. childrens sw is on holiday till mid april so she can't do assessment and apply for funding before easter as funding takes at least 5 weeks to be sorted. i am so peed off with all ss delay tactics. it's not me who asked for residential it was medical recomendation....why do us parents have to fight for everything to help our children? and always get promises that never happen.

What a load of twaddle funding does not take 5 weeks to agree, dependent on the urgency and the assessment being completed it can be done in days.

I would seriously consider an official complaint as she has had plenty of time to do it and has caused a significant delay which is impacting on your families life and more importantly that of your dd. Also remind her that whilst the case is allocated to her she has a duty of care. You should also argue that if she cant do it due to other commitments and leave that you feel its in the best interests of your dd for an independent assessment to occur and if this is not forth coming then you would like a satisfactory reason as to why not or you would consider Judicial Review as they are failing as a Local Authority in which to meet their statutory obligations for a child that is defined as in need under S17 of the 1989 Children Act.

All LA have a duty to support children until at least 18 and older in certain circumstances but this does not apply to you at this time.

I would send it as an email complaint to council and copy in your MP LA panic when they get involved.

I hope this helps

Oh if its a medical recomendation why are they not funding or at least part funding with Children Services?

medical and the education have sorted their part of funding paperwork it's ss that's peeing about been told that we can't apply for funding till cs have done paperwork for their share but sw is away now till mid april and and we have to wait....i'm so peed off with them sorry for moaning but i need a break and ss say send dd to dads (really nice guy says women and children need a beating at least once a day to keep them in there place)that includes dd. ss have seen bruises.btw the nice guy works with kids ss aint bothered

I would take it higher never take the first answer from the social worker, got to her manager, then their manager and so forth, they will do it if pushed trust me, but lodge a level one complaint, and then proceed straight to level two once they respond and they will then get there butts into shape as they worry about level 2 complaints as its external agency that deal with it.