The Framework for the assessment of children in need and their families has been developed to provide a structured way of analysing, understanding and recording what is happening to children within their family's environment. Judgements can then be made when professionals get a clear understanding of all the different complex issues between families and children and then the correct action can be taken. The Assessment Framework that they follow was put together with the Department of Health, Department for Education and Employment and Home Office.  

The judgements that are made when assessing the children and families include: 

If the child that they are assessing needs help.  

If the child is suffering or is likely to suffer in the near future 

What actions must be taken to support the child 

Which services would best to help the family and the child 

There are principles put in place that they have to follow which are: 

Child centred approach 

Ensuring equality of opportunity 

Involving working with children and families 

Building on strengths as well as identifying difficulties 

Carrying out assessments in parallel with other action and providing services 

 

The way that this links to looking after children is that its linked to the assessments of the child and the family. For example, this is the step that would follow prior the child being taken into care or being put back with the families.