Creative Packages of Assessment

Browning House has a multidisciplinary staff team and a wealth of expertise and experience. A package of assessment can be created to meet individual need.

We will endeavour to work with all parents and their children and will give consideration to all referrals. We are able to offer Flexible packages of assessment, which include:

Residential Assessment

• Day Assessment
• Community Assessment
• Contact Assessment between children and their separated father or mother
• Outreach visits
• Individual Sessional work and Assessment
• Or any combination of the above (creative packages are costed according to requirements).
• Browning House works with a number of professionals on a consultancy basis ie, psychologists and mediation counsellors. Their expertise can be provided if required. It should be noted that this may incur a further cost.

We are creative, and will adapt packages of assessment and support to meet individual need. In discussion with the referral agents, we will consider all possible assessment options to enable us to work positively with a family.

Qualified senior staff, experienced in all aspects of child protection issues and associated risk, are involved throughout all the assessments that are offered. Each family will be assigned their own case manager and key worker to support them during their assessment.

Every parent is treated as an individual - skills are respected and built on through a combination of group and individual session work. Observations are recorded daily and parents are encouraged to read their own personal records.

Residential Assessment

The usual length of a Residential Assessment is 12 weeks; however, this Unit is able to offer assessments of varying lengths: 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 weeks duration depending on what kind of help and support is required. On occasion an assessment will be extended for longer than 12 weeks should Browning House and the referral agent feel that this would benefit the family and enable them to succeed and achieve a positive outcome. The length of the assessment will be agreed with the referral agent before a family is admitted to the Unit.

Browning House reviews the assessment monthly or as agreed with the referral agent and a full written report is provided. Following the completion of the assessment a comprehensive report will be provided.

Day Assessment

Parents visit the Unit daily to undertake assessment work, hours and days to attend, including weekends and Bank Holidays are arranged to meet individual family needs.
Day Assessment may be used as:

• A means of assessing a parent’s commitment to undertaking an assessment without moving their baby from a settled foster carer placement
• A means of assessing a parent’s suitability for Residential Assessment. Where there have been concerns about violent behaviour, unstable mental health or other risks this Unit will endeavour to work with parents creatively to achieve positive outcomes.
• A means of introducing a partner into the assessment where a parent and child are resident on the Unit.
• A means of familiarising a parent with the Unit and staff prior to admission. Short periods of time can be spent on the Unit with their children building on existing skills. Parents with learning difficulties have benefited from this introduction to the Unit.
• A Day Assessment can be used solely for assessment where concerns do not warrant a residential assessment.

If Day Assessment proves positive the parents and child will be admitted for Residential Assessment.

Community Assessment

Experienced staff can undertake work with parents in the Community, in their own homes or in an alterative venue. Work can include risk assessment, one to one parenting work and assessed contact sessions.   Community Assessment work can take place at hours to suit individual family need, including weekends and Bank Holidays.

Contact Assessment between children and their separated father or mother

Experienced staff can undertake Contact Assessment Sessions between children and their separated father or mother. These sessions can be undertaken on the Unit or in a parent’s home or alternative venue. Contact Assessment Sessions can take place at hours to suit individual family need, including weekends and Bank Holidays.

Outreach Visits

Experienced staff can undertake outreach visits. These visits are a checking and support mechanism for families in the Community. Outreach visits can take place at hours to suit individual family need, including weekends and Bank Holidays.

Individual Sessional work and Assessment

Experienced staff can undertake individual risk assessment and specific sessional work with parents either on the Unit or in a parent’s home or alternative venue.