Service User Perspectives: The pitfalls of assessment

Learning Objectives

After considering this resource, you should be more aware of the pitfalls surrounding assessment being a partnership opportunity.

Watson and West (2006, p.43) assert: 'Assessment should involve those being assessed.' In reality though, can assessment be a true partnership?

In the following video, service users share their own experiences of the assessment process and discuss whether assessment can encapsulate the idea of a partnership.

Download: Video transcript

Reflective Questions

  1. Do you think assessment presents an opportunity for partnership working?
  2. In what ways can you ensure the service user is always involved in the assessment process?
  3. Consider how you can manage the balance between promoting your own ideas in the assessment process and including the service user's ideas.

Reference:
David Watson and J West (2006) Social Work Practice and Process: Approaches, Knowledge and Skills. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

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