First home visit

• I check that there is consent to see the family and that there is consent to speak to the child and partner agencies
  
  
• I gather information from parents, including fathers (present and/or absent), next of kin / significant people / emergency contacts. These are people that the parents use as support, who may already look after the children over night and who they’d contact in an emergency to care for the children. Ideally we need the name, date of birth, address and telephone number for each contact
  
  
• I develop my genogram on the ICS system with the information collected and record the visit on the child’s record
  
  
• I address all the concerns noted in the referral and record the parent’s views and responses to each one
  
  
• I ask basic initial information questions in reference to the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families
  
  
• I check the child’s record reflects all professionals involved and records health, education and detailed information
  
  
• I look round the house check sleeping arrangements for the child and ascertain living conditions are sufficient
  
  
• I plan my next visit with the family and explain what the visit is for
  
  
• I provide the family with a copy of the compliments and complaints booklet along with my telephone number and what to do if they call me and I am not in

• I meet the child and ask parents to introduce me, I explain my role and speak with the child alone where appropriate

First home visits are an opportunity to create a meaningful working relationship with the family. It is the first opportunity to present our service to this parent, so being open, honest, warm, understanding and professional is crucial. You will need to explain the type of services that are available and what the role of the Social Worker is, carefully explaining that if the assessment concludes that a Social Worker is not required that they can still receive support.  You should explain about consent and record this.  It can be helpful to follow up your initial visit with a letter so that they can remember what was discussed and include your contact details in case they were misplaced by the family after the visit.