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Tackling volatile substance abuse in Scotland
a training course for the social care workforce

Course content: Assessment

The Integrated Assessment Planning and Recording Framework

The Scottish Government’s Integrated Assessment Planning and Recording Framework (IAF):

diagram of The Assessment Triangle

The assessment triangle

The assessment triangle is a key element of the framework. It identifies generic areas important in the development of all children, which should be taken into account when assessing children and young people.

All those working with children should consider, as part of the assessment process, all the components of the triangle — whatever their professional background or setting.

Considering and reflecting on the components of the triangle will ensure that assessment is holistic and that every child and young person will be able to play his or her part in the process throughout childhood, adolescence and youth.

Guidance on the child’s or young person’s plan

This guidance on the child’s or young person’s plan2 sets out the structure of the plan as intended in Getting it Right for Every Ghild. The plan has been designed to help all practitioners and staff working with children and families in any organisation in the community think about the needs of a child or young person.

The child's plan is the core of the approach to meeting the needs of children as set out in Getting it Right for Every Child. This guidance is the first of a set of tools for practitioners, which will be developed and improved in the light of experience and developing legislation.

The approach is based on legislation as it currently exists. In addition the guidance also signposts areas where legislation is being proposed by the draft Children's Services (Scotland) Bill which is being consulted upon until 31 March 2007 see www.scotland.gov.uk/childrensservicesbill.

The guidance will be revised in the light of experience and the proposed development of this legislation, subject to decisions on the way forward made by the new Scottish Government after the May 2007 elections. This draft guidance does not therefore have statutory status and current statutory responsibilities remain in force. This guidance is, however, intended to be the basis for future statutory guidance on the child's or young person's plan. While the proposed legislation is not currently in place, the Government would expect agencies to be working towards the introduction and use of plans as part of best practice. This will help agencies prepare to deliver on Scottish Ministers' expectation that every child or young person going to a Children's Hearing should have a plan in line with Getting it Right for Every Child by December 2007.


  1. Scottish Executive (2005) Getting it Right for Every Child: Proposals For Action <http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/06/20135608/56173> viewed November 15 2007.
  2. Scottish Executive (2007) Getting it Right for Every Child: Guidance on the Child's or Young Person's Plan <http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/163531/0044420.pdf> viewed November 15 2007.

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