Mairi's Assessment

Mairi's mum is currently in a job which involves both variable shift patterns and overtime offered at short notice – these are hard for her to turn down as she really needs the money. This instability, in terms of the lack of opportunity to turn to her mother when Mairi needs her, has been the background to Mairi's life for the last few years.

Knowing what is going to happen and when

Is the child's/young person's life stable and predictable? Are routines and expectations appropriate and helpful to age and stage of development? Are the child's/young person's needs given priority within an environment that expects mutual consideration? Who are the family members and others important to the child/young person? Can the people who look after him or her be relied upon to be open and honest about family and household relationships, about wider influences, needs, decisions and to involve the child/young person in matters which affect him or her? Transition issues must be fully explored for the child or young person during times of change.