The information below is used for the assessment exercise in the assessment, planning and review
training which follows the power point presentation on What is Assessment?. The information is printed
on card then each piece of information is cut up separately and the 40 pieces placed in an envelope.
The blank template at the bottom is enlarged to A3 and participants are given instructions and asked to
match up the information placing it correctly on the template.
This promotes discussion about what is information gathered against analysis and what is the
difference between an outcome and action.
Analysis
Desired Outcome
The mother is physically and
emotionally isolated with no
network of support
Information Gathered
Structured
Included
Lack of physical and emotional
support is impacting on the mother’s
physical energy and emotional wellbeing. She has no help with the daily
demands of the baby and only
professional reassurance about her
parenting skills. At the moment the
baby appears settled and calm,
although there are concerns about
mother’s level of exhaustion.
For mother and baby to
have a network of
support to reduce
physical and emotional
isolation
Support is offered to connect
with available family and
community resources
Action
The baby is not gaining weight
on the breast
healthy
The evidence suggests the baby is
not physically thriving and it is
essential to establish the reason for
the failure to gain weight in order to
address this issue quickly.
Establishing whether the cause is
physical, emotional or social will be
the first step
For baby to gain weight
in line with expectations
A process of elimination is
commenced using
observation, questioning,
home visit, information,
support and advice to
establish why the baby is not
thriving on the breast
Both parents are observed to
be delighted and attentive to
baby’s needs – talking,
soothing, cuddling
Nurtured
The baby’s need for nurture is likely
to be met if parents continue to
respond in this way
For baby to continue to
be nurtured
To positively reinforce the
parents’ skills and abilities
Information Gathered
The home environment is
chaotic with numerous family
and non-family members
coming and going at all hours
and noise level is extreme.
There is no dedicated area for
baby to sleep
The home environment
contains all necessary
equipment to protect the baby
Both parents have a learning
difficulty and require support to
understand parental
requirements
Structured
Responsible
Safe
Achieving
Analysis
Desired Outcome
Action
The baby’s need for a calm
environment to sleep, eat and rest is
not being met. The baby is fractious,
napping for very short periods, rather
than sleeping and there is little
evidence of order or routine in the
household
For the baby to
experience an
appropriate level of
calm and quiet to
promote healthy growth
and development
 Discussion with parents and
householders on needs of
baby.
 Request for Assistance to
Housing Department
 Monitor improvement at final
visit and alert public health
nurse
There is some evidence of parental
understanding of the need to protect
baby and no current concerns for
safety
Parents are managing with the
basics of parenting at this point but
may require support to ensure that
the baby’s learning will progress
For the baby to
continue to experience
a safe environment
Positive reinforcement of
parenting skills
For the baby to
experience appropriate
stimulation and play as
she grows and
develops
 Check what supports are in
place for parents
 Commence a Single Agency
Part II
 Early communication with the
public health nurse
Mark for public health nurse
monitoring
Baby crying frantically on
arrival. Parents report
struggling to respond to the
baby’s demands due to their 3
other siblings under 5 also
needing attention
Respected
The parents are still trying to adapt
to the needs of a new baby in a
home with 3 other children under 5.
Need to establish whether this is
impacting on the baby’s
development.
An appropriate
response to the baby’s
cues for attention
Baby observed in bath on
arrival, encouraged to splash
and kick. Parents walking to
the shopping centre
Active
Clear evidence of parents’ providing
opportunities for the baby to be
active and being active themselves
at this point
For the baby to
continue to have
opportunities to be
active
Positive reinforcement of
current level of activity
Information Gathered
Structure
Analysis
Desired Outcome
Action