WillisPalmer is proud to be a multi-disciplinary organisation with a network of highly experienced and trained Expert Social Workers, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and Family Support Workers. With 20 years’ experience in the field, WillisPalmer is ideally placed to offer our multi-disciplinary family assessment (MFA) services to local authorities, courts and independent organisations.

Our multi-disciplinary approach proves timely, prevents delay and is cost-effective. Our assessments can also be tailored to your needs.

The MFA is a prime example of our professionals working together to address complex problems and keep families together where possible and safe to do so. Following a referral, WillisPalmer's multi-disciplinary team work together to assess the family and their parenting capacity over an ten-week period. At the end of the assessment, a quality assured, evidence-based report is produced with advice and recommendations for the court.

Our unique multi-disciplinary approach to the welfare of children and families aims to keep families together, safely, when children are on the edge of care. The MFA model has proved to be cost-effective, the best outcomes for children are achieved within an 10 week time scale.

Why Multi-disciplinary Family Assessment?

• Assessment completed by Independent Social Worker and Psychologist jointly
• Immediate start Family Support 
• Cost efficient - up to 48% cheaper than residential assessment 
• 24/7 safeguarding observation 
• Family Support intervention - guidance, teaching and modelling 
• Prevent delay - completed in 10 weeks 
• ParentAssess or PAMS if required 
• Quality Assured FSW session reports 
• Case management by Consultant Social Worker and dedicated Case Manager 
• 24/7 Out of Hours service 
• Free Risk and Viability assessment 
• Reverse residential assessment Equivalent

How does the MFA model work?

• Referral completed by Social Worker 
• Risk and viability assessment completed by WillisPalmer 
• MFA planning meeting (professionals)
• Working Together Meeting (with family)
• Family Support begins 
• Assessment sessions and observations begin 
• Quality Assured FSW session reports filed weekly 
• Weekly ISW and Family Support meetings 
• Psychological and/or Psychiatric assessment
• MFA team consultation
• Progress review and report  
• Assessment sessions and observations continue 
• Assessment report Quality Assured by Consultant Social Worker 
• Report filed 10 weeks from letter of instruction 

Which cases would I use the MFA for?

Local authorities and courts have found the MFA useful for the assessment of the following risks and needs:

• Parental mental health.
• Parental substance misuse.
• Parents with learning disabilities.
• Neglect.
• Children with emotional or behavioural difficulties.
• Parents or children with ASD.
• Care experienced young people becoming parents.
• Families experiencing domestic abuse.
• Suspected non-accidental injuries.
• Emotional or physical abuse.
• Children at risk of Child Sexual Exploitation.

Our Multi-disciplinary Assessments have a dedicated Case Manager to ensure clear and responsive communication from referral to completion.  All WillisPalmer Family Support Workers have a level 3 Health and Social Care qualification or higher and at least 12 months practice experience

Contact details

For more information about our new innovative MFA model, please contact our Operations Director Dave Wareham or Family Support Team Manager Fay Roffe who can answer any questions you may have relating to the service.