Analysis and critical thinking in assessment: Literature review (2014)

Introduction

Social work with vulnerable children and families is challenging and difficult work, practically and emotionally. Positive outcomes are not guaranteed and the consequences of error, as the opening quote puts it with considerable understatement, can be ‘costly’. Inquiries into child deaths and serious case reviews over the years have typically highlighted shortcomings in frontline practice, with assessment being a recurrent concern. Good quality assessment is critical for proper case management, whatever the case: it is important whether you are at the early stages of considering whether a child or young person has additional needs or proceeding with a complex child protection inquiry.

Where the welfare of a vulnerable child is at stake, if that assessment is either not done or not done well, the consequences can be catastrophic. This literature review examines analytical, critical and reflective thinking and writing in assessment, which is vital not only in social work but across a range of disciplines that work together to achieve the best possible outcomes for children, young people and their families.