Parent Assessment Manual Software
Aberlour Family
Service- Aberdeen
Options Dundee
Aberlour Family
Service – South
Ayrshire
Aberlour Family Service
Criteria
•Family Living in South Ayrshire
•Children in the family under 12 years.
•Parents are affected by a learning disability
“a significant lifelong condition that started before adulthood, that affects
development and means someone may need support to understand
information, learn new skills and cope independently”
What is PAMS?
PARENTING ASSESSMENT MANUAL SOFTWARE
• An assessment carried out containing 31 domains to highlight
parenting capacity
• Divided into Knowledge, Skill and Observation
What is PAMS?
PARENTING ASSESSMENT MANUAL SOFTWARE
Knowledge Cartoons
•Assesses parents knowledge of real life
situations – including skills, dangers
and challenges.
•Scored either Good, Adequate or Poor
against criteria provided in the
instruction booklet.
What is PAMS?
Parenting Assessment Manual Software
Initial Screening Tool
• Assessment of parental
capacity completed by the
referrer
• Includes basic background
information about the
entire family unit
What is PAMS?
Parenting Assessment Manual Software
I Need Help . . . Form
• Completed by the parent to
assess their own parental
ability
• Parents must score their
abilities in a range of areas
What is PAMS?
Parenting Assessment Manual Software
Parent Booklet
• Assess knowledge that is
difficult to observe during
assessment
• Can highlight areas where
support may be needed
What is PAMS?
Parenting Assessment Manual Software
Observations at• Home visits
• During contacts
• Out in the community
Observing
• Daily chores
• Parent and child interaction
• Routines
What is PAMS?
Parenting Assessment Manual Software
PAMS Report
Teaching Programme
Tailored to individuals
needs –
•Cooking
•Budgeting
•Play development
•Household routines
•Caring for a new baby
Aberlour Options Dundee
• We work with parents who have a learning
disability or autism
• At least one of their children has a disability or
autism too
• The Social Work Department refer families to
us and pay for the service
Meet Mum…
What was happening
I was trying very hard to be a good mum.
My girls were on the child protection register
and supervision orders.
They were going to take them into care
Aberlour and the family
…we spent time getting to know each other.
…we used PAMs assessment to think about all
the jobs a mum does
…we did drawings of our house and the things
we wanted to happen.
…we did drawings of me and my jobs as a mum.
What happened next
…we did lots of role play to practice new skills
and safety phrases.
…I learned how to budget my money so I am
never skint any more.
…my wee girl goes to school every day now
My family now
Using PAMs…
…helped Mum know what social work were
worried about
…meant that workers were able to show Mum
and social work all the good things that were
already happening
…gave Mum and workers a way to know what to
work on first
Evaluation of Family Service in
South Ayrshire
Ailsa Stewart
PAMS – What do people think?
• Helps to create a clear picture of the parents
experience
• Parents happier to work with Aberlour than
social work
• Good to work together over time
• Information has been used by social work
PAMS – What do people think?
•
•
•
•
Can be difficult for parents
Takes a long time
Not always clear what it is asking for
Working with people in their own home – best
option for parents
• Flexible approach required
PAMS – What do people think?
“They taught me everything including how to
change a nappy…I have no idea where I would
be without them, but my daughter would not be
with me”
“When they tell you, you’ve got it right and that
you know what you’re doing its brilliant because
I know how to look after ma wean”