ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the purpose, benefits and challenges of undertaking family assessments. It presents the implementation of the Care Act 2014. The chapter shows how to incorporate assessment strategies into clinical practice. National Health Service (NHS) Trusts have a broad range of responsibilities towards carers, families and friends. NHS organizations and those who work in them are responsible for ensuring carers are involved optimally in service user assessments, care and crisis plans, reviews and risk management. The concept of ‘the craft of caring’ dictates that the basis of good nursing practice is a combination of both art and science, encouraging nurses to take a holistic broad approach to engage both services users and their families. Family members really appreciate having their experiences and contributions to their relatives’ care and their needs and strengths acknowledged, understood and valued. The uptake and successful implementation of family assessment is multifactorial.
