Parent Assessment Manual Software

Aberlour Family Service – South Ayrshire

Options Dundee

Aberlour Family Service- Aberdeen

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 communityObserving •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”