The Graded Care Profile Patrick Ayre, University of Bedfordshire Richard Fountain, Luton Borough Council

Why GCP Judging the quality of care is an essential component of any assessment but how well do we do it? Judgements subjective and prone to bias Intangible: Difficult to capture and compare High threshold for recognition Cumulativeness and acclimatisation

What we would hope to find

What we found

Chronic abuse and the principle of cumulativeness Incidents scattered through files The problem of proportionality Acclimatisation

Graded Care Profile “Every child has a right to good enough parenting” GCP provides: Framework for making assessment Baseline measurement Measure of Objectivity Judgement about care Reliable standardised evidence

Domains of Care Physical needs Safety Love and belongingness Esteem Self actualisation Sensitivity Responsivity Reciprocity Overtures Stimulation Approval Disapproval Acceptance Present & absent Nutrition. Housing, Clothing, Hygiene & Health Maslow, A. 1954

When do you use it? Can be done: Concerns about parenting Child exhibiting problems Children in Need of Protection Children in Need Programme of Intervention Any other concerns

Section 47 Enquiries (GCP – neglect) CAF GCP Initial Assessment Core Assessment (GCP parenting capacity) Protection / Support Plan GCP – monitoring tool Cross Discipline Assessment Tool

The Framework Triangle CHILD Safeguarding and promoting welfare PARENTING CAPACITY Ensuring safety Emotional warmth Stimulation Guidance & boundaries Stability CHILD’S DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS Education Emotional & behavioural development Identity Family & social relationships Social presentation Self-care skills FAMILY & ENVIONMENTAL FACTORS Community Resources, Family & social integration, Income, Employment, Housing, Wider family, Family history & functioning

Record sheet

Scoring Rating 1 5 Use on every child in the family Use with different carers Complete with the parent/carer Use information, observation, records

Targeting Items of Care Targeted Items Current Score PeriodTarget Score Actual Score

Users Health visitors School Nurses Social Workers Family Centre Workers Education Welfare and school support workers

Uses Pre-referral assessments Snapshot assessments Contribution to CAF Contribution to Core Assessment (parenting capacity) Self-assessment (parents and carers) Young person’s assessment of parenting Tool for setting goals Tool to facilitate discussion

Why choose GCP? Child focused User friendly Common language Promotes partnership

Why choose GCP? Evaluates strengths as well as weaknesses Allows progress to be assessed A relatively objective measure Allows help to be targeted where needed

Contacts Patrick Ayre Department of Applied Social Studies University of Bedfordshire Park Square, Luton, LU1 3JU Richard Fountain Luton Borough Council Unity House 111 Stuart Street, Luton, LU1 5NP