At Kupenda, we have an excellent track record of providing Parenting Capacity Assessments throughout the United Kingdom, for local authorities and private law concerns. Overseas Parenting assessments are also undertaken by our independent social workers. We have a network of over 160 independent social workers, and consultants, available to provide full assessments, usually within a 2-8 week timeframe. Our parenting assessments, are carried out in full compliance with The Department for Education’s “Working Together” guidance which was instituted in April 2013. Our parenting assessments follow the four key precepts referred to, in the revised guidance: •Focus upon the needs and views of the child •Provide clear, incisive analysis •Focus on best outcomes; identifying appropriate support services •Timeliness – our assessments are usually completed within 2-8 weeks Parenting assessment manual assessment Our assessors can also undertake Parenting Assessment Manual (PAM). assessments, which are suitable for vulnerable parents and parents with learning difficulties. PAM assessment model covers areas such as: •childcare and development •behaviour management •independent living skills •safety and hygiene •parental health •relationships and support •the impact of the environment and community on parenting Each parenting skill that falls within a concern, is assessed for parental knowledge, and the quality of parenting skills and frequency of parenting practice. PAM assessment tools such as workbooks and knowledge cartoons provide a visual tool, during the assessment process. These tools work well for parents who find it challenging, to respond to in depth verbal questions,and for parents who normally struggle with abstract concepts, such as emotional wellbeing. Our independent social workers and consultants, are able to provide full PAM assessments, usually within a 6 to 8 week timescale. All of our independent social worker assessments, that focus upon the needs of specific children comply with the requirements identified by the Court of Appeal in Re B-S, and will include a thorough analysis of the pros and cons, of the various options that may be under consideration. Additionally, the assessments will consider the ‘capacity to change’, which focuses upon specific parental issues which could include, mental health, learning disability, substance misuse, cultural maladjustment, alcohol misuse, current or previous offending behaviour, and the understanding, and acknowledgment of concerns raised by the assessed. Forensic Kupenda social care, is able to provide assessors who specialise in operating within forensic settings. These assessors can offer expertise of undertaking assessments that include highly sensitive issues,such as historical sexual and physical abuse, as well as those issues that have operated within cultural or religious circumstances.Many of our workers are experienced in working with translators. Several are from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, and have developed expertise where an understanding of cultural, religious or identity issues may be a factor in assessment