Blended Assessments
At Nucleus Horizons, we understand that some families benefit from a more flexible and phased approach to assessment. Our blended assessments combine residential and community-based assessment models, allowing support and evaluation to adapt as families progress.
This approach provides a more holistic understanding of parenting capacity, enabling professionals to assess how parents manage both within a structured setting and in the community, where long-term care is most likely to take place.
What We Do
Our blended assessments are commissioned by local authorities and the courts and are designed to provide a comprehensive, evidence-based evaluation of parenting capacity. They are delivered in line with the Children Act 1989 and the Working Together to Safeguard Children (2020) framework.
Families may begin their assessment within our residential Family Assessment Centre before transitioning into the community, or they may start in the community and move into a residential placement if risks increase or further structure is required.
This flexible model allows us to respond to risk, progress, and capacity for change while ensuring that children’s safety and welfare remain central at all times.
Our Blended Assessment Service
Blended assessments offer continuity, adaptability, and robust oversight across different environments. Families are supported by the same experienced social work team throughout, ensuring consistency and clarity.
Our blended assessment service includes:
- A named assessing social worker throughout the assessment
- Residential assessment at Nucleus Horizons where required
- Community-based assessment in the family home or local area
- Ongoing risk assessment and supervision planning
- Direct observation of parenting across multiple settings
- Structured one-to-one work and practical parenting support
- Regular review meetings with parents and professionals
- Clear, analytical reports suitable for court proceedings
This approach allows us to assess not only parenting capacity, but also the sustainability of change once families move away from intensive support.
