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The Common Assessment Framework form 9 years on: a creative process

Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Abstract

Legislation within England states that local authorities should provide services for all those families in need. However, research has identified that regardless of the introduction of strategies to identify need and enhance family support, ongoing barriers to services adhere. Taking a social constructionist approach, this study explored professionals' experiences of the use of the Common Assessment Framework form. Data were collected in four different local authorities in two phases. Forty‐one professionals from a variety of agencies took part in semi‐structured interviews. Data were analyzed thematically. Findings demonstrate that the professionals experienced difficulties in working through the Common Assessment Framework process, for example, in completing the form and engaging families. This situation led to the more experienced and knowledgeable professionals utilising creative ways to successfully navigate the ‘referral process’. Such creative working practices included the terminology used to complete the form and how the process was ‘sold’ to parents, so that they could be in a better position to engage parents and complete the Common Assessment Framework form. Because of this, more experienced professionals seem to be able to accelerate the referral process in order to access much needed support services for children and young people.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 751-761

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Child and Family Social Work (Volume 22, Issue 2)

Publication milestones

  • Accepted/In press - 18/03/2016
  • Published - 19/04/2016

Publication status

Published - 19/04/2016

ISSN

1356-7500

Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/623810
  • Scopus: 84963973945

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