Understanding the Graded Care Profile Assessment Tool and its Role in Family Support

The Graded Care Profile 2 (GCP2) assessment tool is designed to empower practitioners in evaluating the quality of care children receive, specifically in situations where neglect is a concern. This strengths-based approach not only aids in identifying areas of neglect but also serves as a catalyst for positive change within families.

Prior research has already established the GCP2 as a reliable instrument for assessing families facing neglect concerns. Building upon this foundation, a recent study delved deeper into the tool’s broader benefits, investigating its potential to foster positive changes in areas such as parental mental health and overall family wellbeing.

This study employed a case study methodology, conducting interviews with key individuals involved in the GCP2 assessment process. These included:

The practitioner who conducted the assessment.
The parent or caregiver who was assessed.
A professional collaborating closely with the family, such as a family support worker or a school teacher.

Four local authorities with established GCP2 practices participated in this research, providing valuable insights into the tool’s real-world application and impact.

Authored by: Rachel Margolis, Jessica Johansen, Emma Smith, and Emma Belton
Published: 2021

The GCP2 assessment tool for neglect: understanding how the Graded Care Profile 2 supports families and practitioners to achieve change Download the full report in PDF format

I think “neglect” is a difficult word, it’s quite a strong powerful word isn’t it really so… I try and reword it as though you know it’s a tool to look at what’s going well which is what we do, what’s working well, what we’re worried about and you know how we can help you. – Practitioner

Key Findings on the Graded Care Profile Assessment Tool

GCP2 Facilitates Communication and Drives Positive Family Change

Assessments conducted using the Graded Care Profile 2 tool have demonstrated the capacity to initiate positive transformations within families. These changes can manifest in various forms, including improvements in parents’ mental health, increased proactive help-seeking behaviors, the development of new coping skills, and enhanced interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, positive shifts have been observed in children, such as improved behavior, better health outcomes, and developmental progress.

A significant aspect of the GCP2’s effectiveness lies in its ability to aid practitioners in communicating concerns to families in a constructive manner. The tool’s strengths-based philosophy, coupled with its intuitive “traffic light” system, empowers families to recognize their strengths, comprehend areas of concern, and visualize the positive changes they are capable of achieving.

Home Environment Improvements are Often More Readily Achieved Than Parenting Behavior Modifications

The study revealed that parents often find it easier to implement improvements related to their home environment compared to altering established parenting behaviors. Practitioners effectively leveraged the GCP2 framework to break down home environment improvements into manageable steps. Tasks like regular cleaning and decluttering, when presented in a structured way, felt less overwhelming and more achievable for parents.

GCP2 Supports Practitioners in Case Decision-Making

Utilizing the Graded Care Profile Assessment Tool can provide valuable insights for practitioners in making informed decisions about case management. In situations where ongoing concerns about a family’s capacity to ensure child safety persist, GCP2 may support the decision to keep a case open to provide continued support. Conversely, the tool can also furnish evidence to justify case closure when practitioners are confident that child welfare is no longer at risk.

Multifaceted Factors Influence Family Change

It is crucial to acknowledge that the GCP2 assessment tool operates within a broader ecosystem of assessments and interventions that families may be engaged with. The positive changes observed in this study are likely attributable to the combined effect of GCP2 and these other support mechanisms. Therefore, while GCP2 plays a significant role, it’s part of a larger network of support contributing to family progress.

The Parent-Practitioner Relationship is Fundamental to Enabling Progress

A strong and positive rapport between the parent and the practitioner administering the graded care profile assessment tool is a critical factor in facilitating family engagement and positive outcomes. Parents expressed appreciation for practitioners who invested time in building a relationship, understanding their family dynamics before commencing the formal assessment process. This underscores the importance of empathy and trust in the successful application of the GCP2 tool.

Please cite this information as: Margolis, R. et al (2021) The GCP2 assessment tool for neglect: understanding how the Graded Care Profile 2 supports families and practitioners to achieve change. London: NSPCC.

The GCP2 assessment tool for neglect: understanding how the Graded Care Profile 2 supports families and practitioners to achieve change Download the report (PDF)

I’ve started speaking to [the children] more, even when I am depressed. I actually play games with them and do stuff with them to bring me out of it. This assessment and being with the [team around the family] has helped me absolutely brilliantly. – Parent

With her own mental health… she’s been seeing to her own needs… I have seen a change from last year, where she would just sit there on the couch just staring at you while the house wasn’t in a good state. Now, she’s taking pride in the family home, and making sure she’s having regular teas, regular breakfast times, and seeing to the kids, bathing them regularly. – Practitioner

Related Resources on Graded Care Profile Assessment

Implementation Evaluation of Graded Care Profile 2

An in-depth review of the strategies employed to support organizations in utilizing the Graded Care Profile 2 (GCP2), an evidence-based tool for assessing the quality of care provided to a child and identifying potential neglect risks.

Graded Care Profile 2 (GCP2)

Explore the Graded Care Profile 2 (GCP2) in detail – a strengths-based and evidence-backed assessment tool designed to assist professionals in measuring the quality of care provided by a parent or caregiver in meeting a child’s needs.

Find out more about GCP2