Risk Assessment, Intervention & Decision-Making in Child in Need

This essay provides an analytical overview of risk assessment and intervention strategies within a Child in Need (CIN) statutory setting, focusing on decision-making processes guided by the Children Act 1989. It examines a case involving Eniola, a woman with multiple sclerosis, and her son Tunde, who experienced physical abuse. The essay explores the role of Social Work (SW) assessments, the application of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF), and the influence of risk aversion in social work practice. It also considers the impact of parenting styles and the application of family systems theory in addressing complex family dynamics. The analysis highlights the importance of integrated support and early intervention to safeguard children and promote positive family relationships, while acknowledging challenges in balancing child protection with family support. Desklib offers this assignment as a resource for students studying law and social work.

This essay will provide an analytical view of the risk assessment and intervention to
demonstrate the decision-making process in the Child in Need (CIN). Along with the
analytical considerations, different theories will also be forwarded for understanding the
decision-making process of the statutory setting of CIN. This particular team works for the
children, which are included in s.17 and s.47 of the Children Act (1989). The referral to this
agency not only come from schools,police, and family members but it also comes from the
formal agencies like Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). After a referral is sent to the
CIN team, the Social Work (SW) takes over the charge and the decision is taken after the
consideration of the assessment conducted by SW. However if the referral do not meet the
criteria of the CIN team and intervention is required, the plan is allocated to the Early help
team.
The case report is used to identify the Student Social Worker’s analytical thinking. In
order to maintain the confidentiality, the names of all the service users have been
changed.
Eniola is a black African woman, who is 40 years-old, she suffers from multiple sclerosis,
and she lives with a ten years old son Tunde. In November 2015,Tundereveal that his mother
physically assaulted him. The police also interviewed him and the entire procedure was done
under the Achieving Best Evidence (ABE), which is in tune with the criminal proceeding
guidelines. Tunde gave clear accounts of the events that lead to the particular incident. He
was examined to be in a vulnerable position due to his miserable condition. He had bruises in
his arms, scratches in his back, and he was going through the paediatric assessment at the
same time. After judging the entire situation the police decided to prosecute Enoliaa, due to
her repeated act of abuse and mistreatment to her son. However, Tundetook back his
allegation against Eniola just two weeks prior the criminal court hearing. Enoila too has been

inconsistent with her engagement of the professional care. She also could not showany
positive changes to improve the home atmosphere.Enoila completely failed to keep her son
safe from harm and injury. Thus, a judgement was passed based on section 47 and the
respective assessment was carried out. After having a terrible fight with his mother, he
escaped from the bathroom window and stayed at the friend’s house. The school staff
informed the local authority about his constant refusal to return to his home. The local
authorities too believed that there are reasonable grounds which meets the threshold criteria
of section 31(2) and 38 of the Children Act 1989. Tunde will suffer from both physical and
emotional harm as well as neglect if he returns to his home. The local authority also stated
that the fluctuation of treatment in the case of Tunde, can cause him instability and there is a
need for the involvement of SSW for ensuring whether his mother is fit enough to take care
of her.
The Social Work Assessment served as a tool to support the planning of the future
along with the recognition of the aspects that needs changes for the further development of
the family life (Martin, 2010). Kemshall(2002) too hold the view that an assessment can
influence the family to feel positive or negative about it. Sometimes abad assessment, where
social workers exercise their power disproportionately over the families worsens the situation
in the long-term. Enoila may experience a bad assessment if the complete nature of her case
is over looked. The case of Enoila is not only complex but also it is also multi-layered with
many problems. The SSW needs to provide the family with an integrated package of tailor-
made support so that the family progresses holistically. For instance, considerations were
given to Eniolabecause she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The Care Act assessment
takes care of the caring responsibility and owing to the part of the process, Enoila may meet
the eligibility criteria for a personal budget depending upon her level need and well-being
(Care Act, 2014). The assessment of parenting is enshrined in the Children Act (Section

1.3);this refers to the criteria of whether parents can meet the needs of their children or not
(Department of Health 1989). The parenting capacity is associated with parent’s direct
willingness and ability to overcome the risk factors, which includes alcoholism, domestic
abuse and so on. This is because the presence of the risk factors can lead to the increasing
incidence of abuse and neglect(Department for Education, 2014a). This marks the importance
of parenting assessment and sets the tone for addressing the issue of Enoila. For the case of
Enoila, the judgment will be based on the character or the behaviour. Milner and O’Byrne
(2009), has classified the assessment process into five phases, which are as follows:
 Preparation,
 Data collection,
 Weighing the data,
 Analysing the data and
 Utilising data.
The model that was used by the SSW was the Common Assessment Framework (CAF). This
kind of framework provides a systematic method of analysing, understanding and recording
the incidence that are happening to the children, within the family as well as the broader
perspective of the community in which they are living (Department of Health et al., 2000). In
this case, CAF was guided by the SSW for conducting the assessment of Tunde’ needs and
requirement. The impact of the wider family and the other environmental factors were also
assessed for ensuring the welfare of the Tunde. Munro (2011) and Walker (2008)concluded
that the support of CAF is combined with initial assessment and promotes inter-agency
support to the children ensuring their better future. However according to this case report, the
assessment stages were arranged in a collaborative way that was underpinned with the
referral and assessment records, shared information, planning and delivery, monitoring and

evaluating (Cleaver 2000). With the application of this concept, Tunde could exercise his
voice and the resonance of it could be heard throughout the entire procedure (Davis, 2012).
Conversely, Brandon et al., (2006a) states that even though there is tenet that allows CAF to
support inter-agency working and sharing information, there is absence of legislative
guidance. This encourages too much flexibility from the Local Authorities. Thus the
information that are fetched by the LA under the supervision of CAF result in no
commonality. The argument is furthered on the basis that there was no commonality between
the functions and the diversity of the application of the CAF. Similarly, Corby (2003)
researched on the way Social work take the decisions on 400 Child Protection Cases and
disclosed concerns related to the process of the assessment and the importance of
safeguarding the measure. In this way, it could identify the gaps for which the children are
not being adequately safeguarded. This study also indicated that the workers find it difficult
to address the need of safeguarding the children along with the promotion of their welfare.
Cleaver and Walker (2004) also support this claim, where they argued that the decision-
making process are influenced by the organization-led approach rather than the need of the
children. Furthermore, Munro (2012) stated that the time restraints could be a problem for the
workers using the CAF, and result may affect the holistic assessment of the child. Thus,
dependence on a single method of assessmentcan be detrimental to the long runof the future
of the child. Sometimes, the dependence on the single methods along with the establishment
of needs, proper risk assessment, and safeguarding the issues can serve as the challenge for
the worker (Child welfare, 2015).
Risk and the meaning associated with it is based on the social construction of reality
(Titterton, 2005). This is because the meaning of risk can vary from place to place due to the
variation in its context, level of application and different perspective of understanding.
According to the Children Act 1989 and Section 47 (1b) or section 17, LA can investigate on

the cases that bear the reasonable chances of children suffering in a particular area (DCSF,
2010). Following the case of Tunde, the struggle and the suffering are of huge importance.
However the importance of media also needs to be highlighted because the impact of media
can also have high effect of the working conditions of the social workers in relation to risk
management. Following this light of judgment the case of Caleb Ness (O’brien, Hammond
and Mckinnon, 2003) Victoria Climbie (Laming 2003) and Baby Peter (Laming, 2009;
OFSTED et al., 2008) were also reviewed by Senior Case Review, and the results were quite
similar to its aforementioned consequences. The consequences that resulted were due to the
organizational pattern were the entire team has become risk aversive. Again it is important to
understand that the death of baby Peter also have resulted in a baby peter effect. This kind of
cases resulted in the rise of the percentage of care orders to 70 percentage, that also between
2007 November to 2008 November (Daily Telegraph, 2008). Coming back to the case of
Enoila’s specific parenting style, it can have detrimental effect on the psychological
development of Tunde. There were few risks involved in the parenting styles of Enoila,
which lack of emotional and support and due to her over burdening of stress she also
underwent tumultuous relationship with her son. Due this kind of risks, the well being of
Tunde became a huge important concern for the risk management and risk aversive social
worker team. All this was done to ensure that Tunde do not suffer from physical and
emotional harm.
Foe ensuring that Enoila has a fair assessment, additional form of assessment also took place
using the family systems theory. In the words of Coulshed and Orme (2006), systems theory
can be beneficial for studying the consequences, when unethical acts have been raised by one
of the member of the family within the family itself. This theory became the backbone of
case of Enoila and Tunde and it helped SSW to bring change to the existing situation. Wilson
(2003) suggested the effective application of theory within the family will help them to

collaboratively identify their strengths and weaknesses respectively. This kind of attempt can
help in promoting healthy relationship within the family structure.Munro (2011) and
Ferguson (2011) showed that this particular approach can be problematic because the family
is already over burden with abuse and neglect. It has been seen that this theory works well in
the children services, where the Children Act 1989 places a mandatory resolution for LA to
provide services for the children in the community. According to this proposal the services
that are enshrined by act ensures a safe and secured upbringing of the children along with
their promotion of welfare. In the case of Enoila and Tunde, multiple cases like avoidance to
harm the children, avoidance to breaking down of family along with the necessary changes in
the social and political order need to be addressed, so that, there is a egalitarian approach to
the parenting skills. Initiatives that the labour government took in 2010 gives support to the
family but puts less consideration in the cases like Enoila and Tunde. Thus it can be noticed
that there is move for preventive work with children and other families (Payne, 2014). The
family life is cyclic and the impact can ranges to various levels of stresses, tensions and so
on. Thus it can challenge the well being of the family structure and deteriorate the condition
to a greater extent. One of the views, expressed by Sinclair et al., (1997) states that if there is
early intervention in these cases of dysfunctional family with a history of abuse, there can be
reduction of risk. Moreover it can also ensure a safe and secured childhood along with a
loving and caring family. This makes the preventive service universal which can be
implemented in the case of reducing the risk for the development of the child. SSW was able
to demonstrate the case with sensitivity, love, trust, empathy and warmth this increased the
effective communication skills and enable the workers to work in the specific condition. This
was highlighted in the Professional Capabilities Framework in practice (PCF 1,5,6 and 7).

Trevithick (2012) identifies how social work intervention carried out in a particular situation
can help to restore peace and harmony back to the family. Beckett (2010) points out to the
same fact that appropriate interventioninto a family can help the social workers to achieve
positive results. The term intervention as expressed by Dalrymple and Burke (2006) refers to
interference into family activities and exploring the power relations within the family
structure. For example, the mandate of social workers working under the Children Act
Section 17 and 47 offer to legitimize the protection of the children who are suffering from the
chances of significant harm. Under thisact, SSW can also apply appropriate intervention for
restoring peace and security back to family life;Dalrymple and Burke (2006) have suggested
this. Before identifying such interventions for particular case report, the professional ethics
such as dignity and worth, social justice, service to humanity and integrity should be
identified (British Association of Social Workers 2016). To ensure that the professional
values are upheld in the assessment of Enoila and Tunde, the views of the Education and
Foster carers were also taken into considerations. The feelings and the wishes of the
Tundeare given importance and nothing is imposed to him. Partnership of agencies to enquire
for any particular case is not a new concept. The focus of partnership working for the
children- based services have increased a lot specifically to address the issues that a single-
handed agency fails to handle (Audit Commission, 2010).The Local Authority (LA) plays an
important role for safeguarding the children under the section 17 and 47; it is the
communities’ responsibility to safeguard the children from the possible harm. However,
Robinson et al., argued that in spite of the importance of community the political, contextual
climates also affect the role of safeguarding the children. This is because the changes in
financial and political climate affects the working pattern of these agencies.
Thus there is need to collaborate with the families because without collaborating one may
feel that they are intruding in the internal affairs of the family. Collaboration refers to the

bridging between the social workers and the particular family which is need of help (Munro,
2011). In the case of Enoila and Tunde the SSW held an open and transparent assessment
about the concerns of LA. SSW also utilized motivational questioning model, where the
questions were scaled so that the promotion of empowerment and participation could be
effectively measured. Lishman (2009) also argued that promotion of empowerment could
result in independence, support, protection of the rightsand help to ensure the proper balance
within the family structure. According to this if,Enoila felt judged at any point of time she has
the option to be disengaged herself. Collaborative work pattern needs to be respectful and
anti-oppressive regardless of their particular context (Thompson 2006). Collaborative pattern
of work, in case of Enoila ensures that she is informed about the way assessment are
progressing along with the results of assessments. Intentions alone cannot enable the workers
collaborate with Enoila. Inspite of effective control and power sharing by the SSW the gate
keeping role of the SSW still keeps the worker restrained from gaining the full potential.
Making decisions based on the family conditions without considering the judgement can be a
difficult task (Beckett, 2010). Milner and O’ bryne (2009), argued that judgements hold the
potential of suggestions generated from the data gathering and decision-making, this kind of
suggestions can be beneficial for addressing the cause of the case. The SSW applied the
concept of cognitive continuum, which was originally conceptualized by Howe (2005). This
concept provides a framework that can be placed in the context for inducing rationality.
According to this concept analysis and intuitions are poles of thinking. This is because no
thinking model is purely intuitive or purely analysis based. Thinking pattern generally
follows the oscillation between two aspects, thus it follows a middle path, generating Quasi-
rationality (Dowie and Elstein 1988). The entire idea behind this concept is to explain that
judgement should be explained in relation individual’ capability. Thus this concept could be
applied in cases where decision-making can be complicated. Taking for instance, in case of

Enoila’s the parenting skills which needs to be judged without being discriminatory. On the
contrary, the workers also need to adopt anti-discriminatory and oppressive approach for
practicing in real-life cases. The workers must also explore no issues related to the cultural,
social, political, cultural and structural objects that give meaning to the sense of social reality
(Healy, 2005). Healy also indicated that following this kind of approach would promote the
empowerment because it will help them voice their wishes and feelings of hopelessness. The
SSW was successful in demonstrating the cultural competence for the particular case of
Enoila and Tunde. They respected the cultural context by Enoila being an African woman
residing in Europe. Concerns like how she was raised as a child or the underlying social or
cultural build for having that kind of behaviour to her son was analysed with proper
monitoring social workers. The section 22.5 of the children Act 1989 that stated it comes
under the lawful authority for supervising the condition of the children belonging from the
minority. In spite of this provision it is the duty of LA to consider the children’s religion,
race, cultural background, age, sex, and so on while arriving at any decision. Another
problem that arise is due to the fact that some social workers may feel to overlook the cases
of child abuse in order to save themselves from the racist tag. It should be noted that anti-
discriminatory or oppressive acts should be in relation to the cultural competence. Thus it
does not suggest any worker to provide poor level of protection and care. These children may
not be the victim of abuse or risk rather they may be victim of ignorance, insensitivity and
subjective judgement (0tipiki, 2004).
Two scholars named Marsh and Fisher (2005) advocated that social workers should develop
their decision-making power from the evidence provided by Evidence Based Practice. This is
because EBP provides the best use of evidence. These evidences can be use for the family’s
best interest and it also provides clarity of understanding (Webb, 2001). This kind of
perspective will also reduce the tension between the workers since things are clearly laid out.

Sheldon and Chilvers (2000) stated that EBP workers posed rational questions to the
concerned family. They also seek for electronically for the answers and then critically
appraise them and after that they come to particular results which are decided on the mutual
grounds. One of the critiques to this practice is that workers are able to manage for the
socially defined. For instance if Tunde is emotionally and physically abuse it does not mean
that he has measles. Whether Tunde has measles or not cannot rationally testified and can be
determined by going to hospitals. However the former problem need to identified regarding
to the possible solutions that can be provided in the case of Tunde. Techniques and strategies
needs to be built for curing the current position of Tunde and it are not possible for a person
to handle the particular case single-handedly. The critical view of this issue is important
because it includes the analysis of the evidences that have been gathered initially in this case.
This also makes it more challenging task for interpreting the evidence and taking decision-
based on that. Research implication centres like Research in Practice and Social Care Institute
of Excellency covers a whole lot of area of research that can contribute to the development of
the practice development. For workers to demonstrate these techniques in reality they need to
be more skilful with the relevant information through professional developmental training.
Trevithick (2008) has also argued on the same line that worker’s knowledge in a particular
field has a paramount contribution in the research pattern. She has grouped the pattern of
social workers in three interconnected sections. These sections include the theoretical
knowledge because theories serve a guideline for developing the knowledge and they analyse
the task and provide them with the purpose of practice. There two kinds of knowledge one
that is based on the facts and the other which based on the abstract concepts. In this case
factual knowledge refers to the understanding of social, legal and ecological context of
practice. In this case report, the legislation serves as basis for the factual knowledge and this
form of knowledge was also used by the SSW to inform that happenings of the case to EBP.

The extent to which workers can offer knowledge also comes under the purview of law.
However it is important to understand that sometimes law can be very ambiguous for
determining the children abuse. Harms inflicted upon any child is refers as ill-treatment or
disruption of their well being (Duckett and Lindsay 2016). SSW has applied both the acts,
they are Children Family Act 2104 as well as children Act 1989 to the same case because
they ado vacate on the similar thing. Thus the in the case Tunde, he was given priority
because it was important to ensure that the intervention used in his case should suit him for
the best cause. Thus when working directly with Tunde his wishes and feelings were taken
into considerations and were explored using scientific rationale techniques. Efforts were
drawn for making him feel more empowered through pictures and diagrams which will
ensure his voice being heard at every stage of the social assessment process.
Payne (2014) pointed that social work theories works as a means for understanding and
analysing the family, person, subject or an issue. Since theories are context-bound they
provide an unbiased view of any social problem, thus can serve as a guide for understanding
the social reality (Rojek et al., 1989). In this way theories are also transferable because they
are independent of any cultural or social baggage. The empowerment based approach for this
case describes the creative use of families for personal gain and the use of power for gaining
position (Greene et al., 2005). According to Green et al., (2005), this kind approach can lead
to self-determination and control, competency in living rather than the external locus of
control. Teater (2014) has also echoed on the same line stating that under this approach the
families will need relevant power and control needed for supporting a growth. Using the
empowerment-based approach ensures that there are several strengths like imposition of anti-
oppressive measures within the family. This approach also seeks to give families the power
and control needed to acquire resources. Thus it suggests that adopting this approach will be
beneficial in addressing the issue of Enoila and Tunde.

The only limitations for this study may be diluted in the enablement (Adams 2003
Leadbetter, 2002). Although it is stated that the ethos of empowerment-based approach
includes effective use of control and power but studies has showed that the workers may
withhold this power from Eniola. This again makes the relationship more a dependent
relation indicating to an oppressive practice. This kind approach was furthered elevated in the
works of Adam (Adam, 2003). In the case study of Eniola, the social worker may infuse the
empowered environment in Eniola but in the process of it, she may lose the sight of Tunde’s
need.
When the application of this approach was agreed on the referrals to parenting opportunity
programme will also be made for Eniola. Therefore, she could create a safe parenting
capacity and support her son for a livelihood that is devoid of the harms and self-injury. This
kind programme intervention helps the child as well as the family to prevent the abusive
relationship ad reduce the parent a child conflict and parenting stress (Barlow et al. 2000a).
However, the benefit of the programme that she is able to share thoughts and stress with other
parents who have similar experience. Thus in a way she could come out of isolation and the
problem of confinement. This programme will also help her to share her feeling of how she
was raised as a child in Africa. She will also receive feedback form the facilitator and test her
behavioural attributes before implementing them in Tunde. Eniola may feel she is stigmatised
or scrutinised for the demand of the service.
Coulshead and Orme (2012) showed that there is a need to bridge the communication gap
between the social workers and parents who need support. Along with the extension of
support it is important to take into consideration of the social and the cultural context in
which the individual is emplaced. Prior to solving the case study, Eniola should be informed
about the process thus informed consent can be gained which will be in tune with limit
research ethics (Grumpert and Black, 2006). BASW (2012) code of ethics and ethically