Assessment at the juncture of family services and child welfare - the service-user views

Authors

• Noora Aarnio Tampereen yliopisto
• Tarja Pösö Tampereen yliopisto

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30668/janus.122791

Abstract

The article examines the assessment of children’s and families’ needs for services at the juncture of family services and child welfare from the point of view of service-users. Instead of personal experiences, the study rests on the collective views of those service-users who are involved as experts of experience in child welfare. The data consists of 14 vignette-based group interviews with experts by experience, both young people and parents. They all share similar views on the nature of assessment.  Assessments should focus on the reasons of the problems and their solutions. The professionals making the assessments should have solid competences and a wide knowledge base and assessments should be individually tailored, interactional and holistic. Consequently, the organization of service provision should acknowledge the problems arising if making an assessment for the need of services is separated from social work focusing on promoting change.