Child Assessments
When a child joins Kaleidoscope we undertake a comprehensive assessment of their needs including developmental and social profiles, full educational and therapeutic assessments. This also continues into mother and baby placements, here we focus primarily on the parent/child interactions, and parenting potential.
Assessments usually last for two to three months and in conjunction with our team of consultants we undertake a comprehensive profile of the child's needs including the following:
- Therapeutic Assessment
- Developmental Assessment
- Behavioural and Emotional Profile
- Cognitive Functions
- Education Needs
- Attachment and Placement Needs
Initial Formal Assessment
Children are assessed on entry by an educational specialist, and an individual programme of compensatory teaching is provided to complement and support statutory educational provision. This is provided by teachers who specialise in educational support, and have additional training in helping pupils with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, or emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Continuous Monitoring of the Child's Needs
After the initial formal assessment we continually monitor and review the changing needs throughout the life cycle of a child whilst in the care of Kaleidoscope. This includes reports by the foster carers on the child's placements needs; we also encourage the fostered child/young person to contribute their own report ensuring that they have an active input in their future.
Rigorous Assessment of our Foster Carers
Kaleidoscope Foster Carers are also taken through a rigourous assessment process, including home study, statutory checks and medicals, and assessment by our independent panel, ensuring that the carer can and continues to maintain the necessary skills and mind-set to manage children in their care.