ABSTRACT
Socioeconomic issues are given little acknowledgement, so the impact of poverty, poor housing and unemployment are not well addressed by the assessment framework. The ‘Orange Book’ assessment format consists largely of a questionnaire: 167 questions to be asked of the family, linked with observations of the child. The Orange Book’ acknowledges that ‘the more experienced may wish to modify and experiment with the format’, but contradicts this by going on to say that ‘the formulation and phraseology have been carefully devised to try to avoid putting leading questions or suggesting there is a right or wrong answer. In response to the lack of appropriate assessment materials, Reconstruct developed a framework, supported by tools and techniques, to assist workers in developing assessment skills. The initial child protection conference should give directions to the core group regarding the areas to be addressed in an assessment, as well as the type of assessment needed.
