The descriptive tyranny of the Common Assessment Framework : technologies of categorization and professional practice in child welfare

WHITE, S., HALL, C. and PECKOVER, Sue (2009). The descriptive tyranny of the Common Assessment Framework : technologies of categorization and professional practice in child welfare. British Journal of Social Work, 39 (7), 1197-1217.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcn053
Link to published version:: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcn053

Abstract

The Common Assessment Framework is a standard assessment tool to be used by all professionals working with children for assessment and referral. The CAF is hailed as a needs-led, evidence-based tool which will promote uniformity, ensure appropriate ‘early intervention’, reduce referral rates to local authority children's services and lead to the evolution of ‘a common language’ amongst child welfare professionals. This paper presents findings from a study, funded under the Economic and Social Research Council's e-Society Programme. Our purpose in is not primarily evaluative, rather we illustrate the impacts of CAF as a technology on the everyday professional practices in child welfare. We analyse the descriptive, stylistic and interpretive demands it places on practitioners in child welfare and argue that practitioners make strategic and moral decisions about whether and when to complete a CAF and how to do so. These are based on assessments of their accountabilities, their level of child welfare competence and their domain-specific knowledge, moral judgements and the institutional contexts in which these are played out.

Item Type: Article
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018: Centre for Health and Social Care Research
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcn053
Page Range: 1197-1217
Depositing User: Sue Peckover
Date Deposited: 30 Jan 2014 12:08
Last Modified: 18 Mar 2021 10:00
URI: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/7671

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