Exercise 7: Step 2
Analysing information in records
Amassing and gathering information is one thing; analysing
it is quite a different skill, a point made by Shemmings
and Connolly (1999), prior to the publication of the Assessment
Framework. The art of assessment should not be underestimated
and failure to do so may result in mere listing, for example:
- Convictions: theft, criminal;
damage, arson
- X has been in care
- Previous stay in (Youth Offending
Institution) led to two suicide attempts
- X has a chaotic lifestyle
with no clear boundaries set from an early age
- Although he has a close bond
with his mother she cannot be seen as a positive role
model for behaviour
- Unstable home life
Of course, such a list may have been part of a more contextualised
report, or they may constitute a summary of events …
but often they appear simply as a list. Here is another
example:
- Suspected injuries and unconfirmed
bruises over limbs - not explained.
- Previous history of abuse
by older sibling - off Child Protection Register
- Single mother and new boyfriend
- Concern by school staff about
negligence in hygiene, clothing and school attendance
- Growth at the third centile
- no medical reason
- Uncle visiting - ex-convict
- Mother was abused as a child
- Financial problems - on social
security
Note your thoughts about some of the problems with such
listing
