FROM RESIDENTIAL UNIT TO DAY ASSESSMENT CENTRE - NORTHERN IRELAND

• NCJ Number: 63059
• Journal: Social Work Today Volume: 10 Issue: 27 Dated: (MARCH 6, 1979) Pages: 26-29
• Author(s): D O'BRIEN
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: British Assoc of Social Workers
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO ASSESSMENT OF PROBLEM JUVENILES IS DESCRIBED BY A SOCIAL WORKER IN NORTHERN IRELAND. TECHNIQUES INCLUDE TEAM COUNSELING, GROUP AND FAMILY THERAPY, AND DAILY ATTENDANCE AT THE CENTER.

Abstract

ASSESSMENT IS DONE AT COURT REQUEST FOLLOWING JUVENILE INVOLVEMENT WITH THE LAW. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ASSESSMENT TEAM ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE FURTHER COURSE OF THE YOUTH'S LIFE, SINCE THE COURT ACTS UPON THEM. FORMERLY, ASSESSMENT WAS DONE FOLLOWING A PERIOD OF RESIDENCE AT AN ASSESSMENT CENTER, AWAY FROM HOME AND FAMILY INFLUENCES. DECISIONS WERE REACHED AT A CASE CONFERENCE ATTENDED BY VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONALS. FREQUENTLY, THE OPINION OF A CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST RECEIVED MORE WEIGHT FROM A SINGLE INTERVIEW THAN THE SOCIAL WORKER'S OBSERVATIONS BASED ON DAILY CONTACT WITH THE CLIENT. THE CURRENT APPROACH IS BASED ON DAY PROGRAMS WHICH ENABLE ASSESSMENT TEAMS TO OBSERVE CLIENTS IN THEIR HOME ENVIRONMENTS AND IN THE PRESENCE OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. FAMILY CONFERENCES AND A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT SIGNED BY EVERYONE INVOLVED ARE CRUCIAL TO THE PROGRAM. COTHERAPISTS ARE PRESENT AT THESE FAMILY MEETINGS, AND THE EMPHASIS IS ON UNDERSTANDING THE CHANGING TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN PEOPLE RATHER THAN EFFECTING CHANGE IN INDIVIDUALS. THE DAILY SCHEDULE FOR YOUTHS UNDER OBSERVATION INCLUDES A PERIOD OF FORMAL EDUCATION, SOME INDIVIDUAL 'ONLY CHILD' ATTENTION FROM STAFF MEMBERS, AND A GROUP THERAPY SESSION ATTENDED BY ALL THE CHILDREN AND STAFF PERSONNEL. COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS ARE ENCOURAGED, AND EMOTIONS OF THE STAFF AS WELL AS THE CHILDREN ARE CONSIDERED IMPORTANT FOR ESTABLISHING RAPPORT AND TRUST. ASSESSMENTS ARE DISCUSSED OPENLY WITH CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE ASSESSMENT CONCLUDES WITH A REPORT ON THE YOUTHS' LEVELS OF EGO DEVELOPMENT AND IF POSSIBLE, THE EXACT SYNDROME OF THEIR DEPRIVATION. A TREATMENT PROGRAM IS THEN OUTLINED. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. (MRK)