Key points
There should be a core group meeting with the family and relevant professionals, provided the child and parents agree to this. The meeting should include the children in the family, the parents and anyone else the family think would be helpful. The family is the primary planning group in the process.
How to do it
The family and involved professionals should be clear about
- what are the conclusions of the core assessment and child protection enquiry?
- what do the family understand about the current situation?
- what decisions are required?
- what is the family’s scope for decision-making?
- are there any issues or decisions which are not negotiable?
- what resources are, or might be, available to implement any plan?
Professionals should agree to support the plan if it does not place the child at risk of significant harm, and if the resources requested can be provided.
Lessons from research
A risk factor does not mean that problems will automatically develop, but a number of common risk factors have been identified which do increase the likelihood of harm.
Marital discord and family dysfunction, and poor, harsh or inconsistent parenting are all associated with anti-social behaviour in children.
Large family size is associated with increased rates of conduct disorders and delinquency in boys.
Parental alcoholism and anti-social behaviour are associated with increased rates of conduct disorder and depressive symptoms.
Parental criminality is particularly associated with conduct disorders and delinquency in children.
Young children exposed to physical abuse are twice as likely to develop mental health problems. If subject to neglect, they are three times more likely to develop problems.
If many risk factors are identified, the professionals and the family or young person should look at what protective factors can be put in place and where there are opportunities for change.
See Adcock M: The Core Assessment Process in The Child’s World Reader (2000)
