Assessment of Children
Volume 3. Social Work Practice
II. Assessment and Intervention with Specific Populations
Michael E. Woolley,
Michael E. Woolley
University of Michigan, Schools of Social Work and Education, Ann Arbor, Michigan, US
Search for more papers by this authorMichael E. Woolley,
Michael E. Woolley
University of Michigan, Schools of Social Work and Education, Ann Arbor, Michigan, US
Search for more papers by this authorFirst published: 15 July 2008
Abstract
The social work intervention process with children should begin with a systematic and comprehensive effort to gather valid and reliable information about the child, the social contexts of the child, and the presenting struggle or challenge the child faces. Such a systematic assessment is a critical first step in an evidence-based approach to providing professional, appropriate, and effective services to children who have been impacted by issues ranging from sexual abuse or mental illness to family conflicts or learning disabilities. This chapter discusses the history of the social work approach to the assessment of children, and then drawing from that historical perspective, presents an approach based on current evidence-based strategies and tools for use in the assessment of children. Such tools and strategies are discussed in the context of specific social work practice settings that serve children and their families such as mental health agencies, child welfare/protective services, and schools.
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