How SCARF differs from The UK Children In Need Framework.
Besides using more culturally appropriate language and amending references to legislation to suit Australia, other changes to the UK Children In Need Framework (CIN Framework) have been made
The most significant of which are:
- The CIN Framework has a short Initial Assessment which is followed by a very detailed Core Assessment for any child thought to be “at risk of harm and in need”. SCARF provides a Child and Family Assessments Age Related tool, similar to the CIN Framework’s Initial Assessment, which can be “added to” as complex difficulties for a child unfold. Rather than assessing every dimension of the child the worker can explore the areas that the Assessment reveal as problematic. The assessment is therefore shorter when children’s needs are specific to certain dimensions eg health or education. (for more details see The SCARF Tool Kit. )
- Unlike the CIN Framework SCARF allows the “Family in their Community” domain assessment to be taken from the family’s perspective rather than each family members' individual perspective. Again this has the affect of shortening the assessment. Important individual differences existing in the family can still be recorded.
- Action Plans when appropriate are written for the family as a whole. This avoids some of the duplication that exists in the CIN Framework and also shortens the time spent record keeping. Separate plans are written for each child in the family as required.
- SCARF is flexible in terms of time frames to take account of size of family and language difficulties. The CIN Framework has strict time frames dictated by legislation and government policy.
A detailed account of changes and their rational can be found in the first report published on the SCARF project:
Implementation of the Framework For The Assessment of Children In Need and their families:
The experience of Barnardos Australia.
Dr Elizabeth Fernandez and Rosanna Romeo School of Social Work, The University of NSW.
Obtainable by email from Dr E Fernandez