Social Care Assessments
SHINE Social Care provides high-quality, trauma-informed social care assessments tailored to meet the needs of children, families, and professionals. Our services include Parent Assess, Parenting Assessments, Special Guardianship Order (SGO) , Sibling Together/Apart Assessments and Kindship Care Assessment (Form K). Each assessment is culturally sensitive, evidence-based, and conducted by experienced practitioners to support clear, informed decision-making in both public and private settings.
Parenting Assessments
SHINE Social Care offers comprehensive, evidence-based Parenting Assessments to evaluate a parent or carer’s ability to meet the emotional, physical, and developmental needs of their child. These assessments explore parenting capacity, attachment, risk factors, and protective strengths within the family context. Conducted by qualified social workers with trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approaches, our Parenting Assessments support informed decisions in care proceedings, child protection, and family support planning. Each assessment is tailored to the unique circumstances of the family and delivered with professionalism, empathy, and clarity.
Sibling Assessments Together / Apart Assessments
SHINE Social Care provides specialist Sibling Assessments (Together/Apart) to support decisions about whether siblings should be placed together or separately in care, fostering, or adoption settings. These assessments carefully consider the quality of sibling relationships, individual needs, attachment dynamics, and the potential impact of separation or placement together. Using trauma-informed, culturally sensitive approaches, our experienced assessors prioritise the emotional wellbeing and long-term outcomes of each child. The assessments provide clear, balanced recommendations to inform permanency planning and ensure the best interests of all siblings are met.
Assessment Services
At SHINE Social Work Services, we provide a wide range of high-quality, comprehensive assessments designed to meet the needs of children, families, and commissioning local authorities. Our assessment portfolio includes:
Viability Assessments
Special Guardianship Order (SGO) Assessments
ParentAssess™ Assessments
Standard Parenting Assessments
Our approach is holistic and strengths-based, taking into account each family’s individual circumstances, protective factors, areas for development, and overall parenting capacity. We work closely with commissioners from the outset to ensure a shared understanding of expectations and concerns. Regular review meetings are scheduled throughout the assessment process to ensure transparency, accountability, and timely completion.
All assessments are subject to a rigorous internal quality assurance (QA) process to ensure they are clear, grammatically accurate, and factually sound. This process ensures a balanced, analytical approach with a clear focus on outcomes and recommendations.
Crucially, the voice of the child is central to our work. Our assessments reflect each child’s lived experience, views, wishes, and feelings. We are committed to inclusive and meaningful engagement with children and families throughout the process.
Our Independent Social Workers (ISWs) are trained and experienced in using a wide range of evidence-based tools and direct work methods, including those recommended for use within the ParentAssess™ model. This ensures our assessments are robust, child-centred, and aligned with current best practice.
Private and Public Supervised family time and 24/7
SHINE Social Care offers professionally managed, supervised Family Time for families in both private and public proceedings. Our trained staff ensure safe, supportive, and child-focused family time, while promoting positive engagement and providing detailed observation reports. The service is tailored to each child’s needs, working in partnership with local authorities and legal teams. Whether court-ordered or privately arranged, SHINE ensures flexibility, reliability, and prioritises the child’s best interests.
We also offer a bespoke 24/7 service which is in-home assessments, and real-time parenting advice and guidance. This service is ideal for families needing intensive, flexible support, with experienced staff available at any time of day or night. Whether court-directed or arranged privately, all sessions are tailored to the familie’s needs and always prioritise their safety and well-being. These assessments are supported by timely, high-quality reports that are clear, objective, and suitable for use in court or care planning processes.
Support Students ASYE's
SHINE Social Care provides dedicated support for social work students and Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) practitioners to build confidence, competence, and professional identity in practice. Our experienced team offers structured one-to-one support, reflective supervision, and tailored guidance to help individuals meet academic and professional standards.
Through regular feedback, skills development, and a trauma-informed, culturally aware approach, we ensure students and newly qualified social workers are fully equipped to navigate the challenges of frontline practice and deliver high-quality, ethical social work.
Reflective Supervision For Social Workers
SHINE Social Care offers reflective supervision for social workers to support professional growth, emotional resilience, and ethical decision-making. Our supervision sessions provide a safe, structured space for practitioners to explore complex families, personal impact, and practice challenges with the guidance of experienced supervisors.
Using a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approach, we promote critical thinking, self-awareness, and professional development. Reflective supervision is tailored to individual needs and can be delivered on a one-to-one or group basis, helping social workers maintain high standards of practice and well-being.
Practice Educators For Students
SHINE Social Care provides qualified and experienced Practice Educators to support social work students during their practice placements. Our Practice Educators offer structured supervision, tailored learning opportunities, and clear assessment frameworks to ensure students meet the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) and placement requirements.
With a focus on reflective practice, critical thinking, and trauma-informed, culturally sensitive approaches, we help students develop the skills, confidence, and values needed for competent, ethical social work. We work in partnership with universities and placement providers to deliver high-quality, supportive learning experiences.
