FAMILY ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS ASSISTING CHILD PROTECTION INVESTIGATIONS

Assessment tools have been used for various purposes, including for protecting children from maltreatment. The main aim of this study was to to evaluate and determine the relevance of the FALDC (Family Assessment for Least... [ view full abstract ]

Assessment tools have been used for various purposes, including for protecting children from maltreatment. The main aim of this study was to to evaluate and determine the relevance of the FALDC (Family Assessment for Least Developed Countries) assessment tool for child protection services in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The research was conducted, using the social developmental welfare approach (Patel, 2005) and ecological systems theory (Healy, 2005). The study made use of the qualitative research method; in doing so the study made use of the case study design. In using the qualitative research method, focus group discussions were conducted with 29 social workers involved in child protection services.  

The findings of the study indicated that the FALDC assessment tool provides information useful for child protection services even though it contains sections that are regarded as less relevant to child protection. The study also founded that the FALDC assessment tool is relevant to child protection in the South African context, yet it needs to be aligned so that it provides much of the information desired by those involved in child protection. A conclusion drawn from this study is that the FALDC assessment tool appears to be relevant for child protection services. The FALDC assessment tool needs to be adjusted taking into consideration other aspects important to child protection in the South African child protection context.