Assessment and report writing for social workers 003-12110000

In line with a zero tolerance approach to harm of children, if a staff member in the course of their duties observes behaviour that raises concerns about a child's safety, Services Australia sets out specific steps that must be taken.

Follow the agency's Risk Identification and Reporting model when identifying and responding to child safety concerns. See Risk identification and management of threats to the safety or welfare of a child for more information about this model and the agency's commitment to child safety.

Social work professional assessments and reports are required for a range of reasons, including the following delegated assessments:

• Unreasonable to live at home (UTLAH) assessments
• Crisis Payment (Domestic and Family Violence) claims
• Child Support maintenance exemptions
• Vulnerable Welfare Payment Recipient (VWPR)

Quality professional report writing is an important component of social work service delivery for customers. The content and quality of social work reports reflects social work values and ethics and represents the profession to a potentially extensive audience. It documents the professional interventions and decision-making processes. Effective report writing is essential to quality assurance and accountability.

A referral may not always require a report, a social work case note in the Social Work Information System (SWIS), or a DOC may be more appropriate in some cases.