7/28/2019 Guidance to Recording of Supervised Observation and Direct Work 102010

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GUIDANCE TO RECORDING OF SUPERVISED OBSERVATION/DIRECT WORK BYSOCIAL WORK ASSISTANTS

Parenting Capacity Assessment Service

The Social Work Assistant (SWA) should be aware of the assessment plan for the family they are

observing. Supervision with the PCA SW will have clarified the purpose of the contact and the roleof the supervisor.

For example a contact supervisor may be required to observe only and not intervene unless onsafety grounds. Alternatively the social worker may delegate the SWA to complete someteaching/modelling tasks within the contact. For example, preparing food, playing appropriately orbathing a baby. This will be targeted to address specific issues identified in the assessment plan. Ifthe baby is very young she may be asleep and the SWA may be delegated to the collection ofspecific information or complete a specific task with a parent for example discussing expectationsof a child or planning a budget.

It is helpful for SWAs to sit in on some assessment sessions with the SW, and also to shadow anexperienced SWA supervising a session. This can benefit both workers.

The family will have signed a written agreement which will have set dates and themes of supervisedobservation, as well as setting the boundaries of acceptable contact. Your responsibilities are clear(contact supervisors responsibilities doc) and you must make them clear to parents at the outsetand during contact as required. For example, if parents confide in you, you will be clear this will berecorded, and that your priority is always the welfare of the child.

The following is not a comprehensive guidance but headings will provide guidance to areas whichare central to parenting capacity.

Ar rival : Parents on time? Physical presentation?

Response to professionals? Any preparation needed for session?

Parents response to child appropriate? Childs response to parents and physical presentation (if relevant).

Physical interaction between parent and child

Who initiates this positive or negative (it is possible to score this over short term on achart. (chart)

Does parent initiate appropriate verbal/non verbal interaction based on child developmentallevel and emotional needs?

How does parent show affection (verbal and physical)? Is there eye contact between parent and child/does child approach parent appropriately for

help, comfort etc?

Does parent keep child safe appropriately?

Stimulation and Play

Does parent initiate play appropriate to developmental level? Provide use appropriately activity, toy, book

Follow childs cues? Encourage and praise? Allow appropriate exploration? Model appropriate behaviour?

Evidence of mutual agreement?

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7/28/2019 Guidance to Recording of Supervised Observation and Direct Work 102010

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Boundaries/Guidance

Appropriately set limits at developmental level, so child can understand. Consistent limits and follow through.

Model the behaviour required. Correct child appropriately.

How does child respond to parents limit setting? Physical care/ensuring safety

Clothes, food, set boundaries (for examples). Are expectations of child age appropriate? Do they comfort child if distressed?

Childs Behaviour

Ask for comfort, attention, play how?

Eye contact/smile, respond to parents initiatives? How does child respond to parents questions/comments?

Childs behavioural response to parent calm? Anxious? Guarded in response?

Does child respond differently to other adults? supervisor/carer

Siblings

Does parent appear to value each child? How are individual needs addressed?

Do children appear to respond very differently to the parents?

Parents

Do they show affection?

Do they communicate about the care the children need? Do they negotiate with task sharing?

How do they resolve disagreement? Do they discuss boundaries/offer different boundaries?

Goodbyes

Do parents prepare child in advance? Sensitive to childs feelings?

Able to put child first (e.g. not? etc...) and discuss their feelings to help reduce childsdistress.

Is child sad, anxious?

Changes over time

SWA may want to note any changes based on previous observation, and parents learning fromprevious teaching or modelling.

Also include parents response to advice offered by SWA or other professional in sessions. Thispositive reinforcement is part of the change (?) and good for parents to see written down.

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