Child Protection Guidance 2021

Part 3: Identifying and responding to concerns about children 122 National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 Version 1.0 September 2021 Assessment and planning: prompts to reflection • are needs, strengths and risks for the child central within this assessment? • have the child’s feelings, thoughts and experience been taken into account, as far as can be ascertained at their age and stage? • has there been a full assessment of the impact of structural factors, including poverty, as guided by ‘My Wider World’ and has consideration been given to referral for specialist income maximisation support? • can children and adults involved understand assessment and reporting processes? • how do we support understanding and participation, taking account of the emotional stage, language and culture of children and adults involved? • are motivations, views and understanding of parents/carers represented? • are expected steps to change represented? • are barriers to change explored and addressed? • has consideration been given to safe and effective involvement of the wider family? • has consideration been given to the child’s present and future needs for relationship with those who are important to the child, including siblings? • are resilience factors identified and promoted within recommended plans? • have specialist aspects of assessment and support been considered and integrated when necessary? • have the comparative advantages of legal options been considered? • for what reasons may formal/compulsory measures be needed? • is the assessment and planning co‑ordinated as far as is appropriate, by a lead professional? • does the assessment and plan reflect co‑operation around child and family within all relevant child and adult services? • are contingency plans as clear as possible at this stage?