Assessing parental capacity to change when children are on the edge of care: an overview of current research evidence

Abstract

Assessing Parental Capacity to Change when Children are on the Edge of Care is an\noverview of current research evidence, bringing together some of the key research\nmessages concerning factors which promote or inhibit parental capacity to change in\nfamilies where there are significant child protection concerns. It is intended to serve as a\nreference resource for social workers in their work to support families where children’s\nsafety and developmental functioning are at risk. Its purpose is also to assist social\nworkers and children’s guardians in delivering more focused and robust assessments of\nparenting capability and parental capacity to change, and assist judges and other legal\nprofessionals in evaluating the quality of assessment work in court proceedings. The\nreport brings together research findings from a wide range of disciplines, which are not\notherwise readily available in one location for social workers, family justice professionals\nand other practitioners with safeguarding responsibilities. [Continues]