Community Assessments
At Nucleus Horizons, we recognise that not all families require a residential placement in order for parenting capacity to be assessed. Our community-based assessments provide a flexible, thorough, and child-focused alternative for families who are able to remain living at home or within their local community.
Our community assessments are undertaken by experienced social workers and are designed to assess parenting within families' homes, where daily routines, support networks, and real-life pressures can be fully understood.
What We Do
We work with parents and children referred by local authorities and the courts to undertake evidence-based parenting assessments in the community. All assessments are completed in line with the principles of the Children Act 1989 and the Working Together to Safeguard Children (2020) framework.
Our approach remains strengths-based, transparent, and child-focused. We aim to provide parents with meaningful opportunities to demonstrate their abilities while ensuring children’s safety and welfare remain paramount at all times.
Assessments are led by qualified social workers with extensive experience in safeguarding and court work. Families are supported throughout the assessment period with clear feedback, guidance, and professional oversight.
Our Community Assessment Service
Community assessments allow families to remain in their own homes or local area while parenting capacity is assessed. This model is particularly suited to families where risks can be safely managed, or where understanding parenting in a familiar environment is essential.
Our community assessment service includes:
- A named assessing social worker allocated to the family
- Planned and unannounced home visits
- Direct observation of parenting and daily routines
- One-to-one work with parents to support learning and reflection
- Liaison with local professionals and support services
- Regular feedback meetings with parents and professionals
- Clear, analytical reports suitable for court and care proceedings
Assessments are tailored to the individual needs of the family and consider parenting capacity, risk management, and the ability to make and sustain change over time.
Other Social Work Services
We are also able to offer a range of Independent Social Work Services via our sister company, Nucleus Independent Social Work Services, offering support for both private and public family law, as well as pre-proceedings. This includes:
- Independent Social Work Assessments for Children and Families
- Private Family Law Assessments and Support
- Local Authority and Community Support
