I am a Reader in Social Work in Cardiff University′s School of Social Sciences, and a former social worker in the field of child and family social work. Previously I was a practitioner in the voluntary and statutory sectors. I have extensive experience of conducting qualitative research projects in social work and have investigated issues related to looked after children, assessment of parenting, family group conferences, child neglect, involving fathers and community safeguarding. I have used a range of qualitative methods to explore these topics, including participative research with children, ethnography, mobile methods, life history interviews and documentary analysis. I facilitate a research advisory group for young people who are care experienced and am deputy chair of my departmental research ethics committee. I am also the author of Child and Family Assessment in Social Work Practice (Sage, 2nd edition, 2011).

From the first edition:′This is a timely and helpful book; timely in that it locates assessment within the ′real world′ of social work practice and helpful in that establishes the necessity for both intellectual rigor and interpersonal skills in work with children and families. The author′s clear sighted approach to the issues will be helpful to all who are involved in social work education and practice′ - Trevor Spratt, Queen′s University Belfast

• IntroductionPART ONE: WHAT IS ASSESSMENT?Assessment in Child and Family Social WorkThe Nature of Assessment: Law, Art and ScienceTime and ChangePART TWO: PEOPLE IN ASSESSMENTSThe Assessment RelationshipChildren in AssessmentsAssessing ParentsPART THREE: THE ASSESSMENT PROCESSAssessment DesignAnalyzing and ReportingConclusion: A Fair and Thorough Assessment

I am a Reader in Social Work in Cardiff University′s School of Social Sciences, and a former social worker in the field of child and family social work. Previously I was a practitioner in the voluntary and statutory sectors. I have extensive experience of conducting qualitative research projects in social work and have investigated issues related to looked after children, assessment of parenting, family group conferences, child neglect, involving fathers and community safeguarding. I have used a range of qualitative methods to explore these topics, including participative research with children, ethnography, mobile methods, life history interviews and documentary analysis. I facilitate a research advisory group for young people who are care experienced and am deputy chair of my departmental research ethics committee. I am also the author of Child and Family Assessment in Social Work Practice (Sage, 2nd edition, 2011).

From the first edition:′This is a timely and helpful book; timely in that it locates assessment within the ′real world′ of social work practice and helpful in that establishes the necessity for both intellectual rigor and interpersonal skills in work with children and families. The author′s clear sighted approach to the issues will be helpful to all who are involved in social work education and practice′ - Trevor Spratt, Queen′s University Belfast

• IntroductionPART ONE: WHAT IS ASSESSMENT?Assessment in Child and Family Social WorkThe Nature of Assessment: Law, Art and ScienceTime and ChangePART TWO: PEOPLE IN ASSESSMENTSThe Assessment RelationshipChildren in AssessmentsAssessing ParentsPART THREE: THE ASSESSMENT PROCESSAssessment DesignAnalyzing and ReportingConclusion: A Fair and Thorough Assessment

I am a Reader in Social Work in Cardiff University′s School of Social Sciences, and a former social worker in the field of child and family social work. Previously I was a practitioner in the voluntary and statutory sectors. I have extensive experience of conducting qualitative research projects in social work and have investigated issues related to looked after children, assessment of parenting, family group conferences, child neglect, involving fathers and community safeguarding. I have used a range of qualitative methods to explore these topics, including participative research with children, ethnography, mobile methods, life history interviews and documentary analysis. I facilitate a research advisory group for young people who are care experienced and am deputy chair of my departmental research ethics committee. I am also the author of Child and Family Assessment in Social Work Practice (Sage, 2nd edition, 2011).

From the first edition:′This is a timely and helpful book; timely in that it locates assessment within the ′real world′ of social work practice and helpful in that establishes the necessity for both intellectual rigor and interpersonal skills in work with children and families. The author′s clear sighted approach to the issues will be helpful to all who are involved in social work education and practice′ - Trevor Spratt, Queen′s University Belfast

• IntroductionPART ONE: WHAT IS ASSESSMENT?Assessment in Child and Family Social WorkThe Nature of Assessment: Law, Art and ScienceTime and ChangePART TWO: PEOPLE IN ASSESSMENTSThe Assessment RelationshipChildren in AssessmentsAssessing ParentsPART THREE: THE ASSESSMENT PROCESSAssessment DesignAnalyzing and ReportingConclusion: A Fair and Thorough Assessment