Research and analysis

Children in need and child protection: quality of early help and social work assessments

This report explores factors that drive or limit effectiveness of assessment, drawing on evidence from tracked cases.

Documents

The quality of assessment for children in need of help

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The quality of assessment for children in need of help

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

Good-quality assessment for children in need of help is an essential part of keeping them safe. In recent years a number of Ofsted reports have identified poor quality assessments across many local authorities, especially in those judged less than good. Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector commissioned this thematic survey to gain an accurate, up-to-date picture of how well local authorities were carrying out their assessments in early help, children in need and child protection work.

Published 4 August 2015