Lists of figures
List of tables
About the author
List of contributors
Praise for previous editions
Introduction
1. Why Assess?
2. Chronologies: The start and heart of a good assessment
3. Genograms and ecomaps: Knowing the networks
4. Writing
5. Thinking: How our own minds can help or hinder our analysis
6. Analysing Facts and Risk
7. From Hearing Children to Holding Uncertainty: Recognising What Matters in Today's Version of Now
Paul Shuttleworth
8. Analysing Domestic Violence
9. Assessing around Neurodiversity
Chris Dyke and Agniezska M. Fearne
10. Using Cultural Humility to Assess Affectees of Female Genital Alteration (FGA)
Maureen Mguni and Mthoko Ngobese-Sampson
11. Applying Ubuntu principles to assessing children and families in social work
Mthoko Ngobese-Sampson and Maureen Mguni
12. After the assessment: Sharing, planning, and what to do next
13. Summary
Appendix
Appendix 1: Writing for child care proceedings
Appendix 2: Best interests assessments and working within the Mental Capacity Act 2005
Alex Green
Appendix 3: Getting it done: Organisational skills for new social workers
Appendix 4: Risk Assessment Instruments and Structured Professional Judgement tools
Dermot Brady
Index
Biography
Chris Dyke graduated in social work from Goldsmith’s in 2006 and worked in statutory teams in London and as an independent social worker from 2015. He started teaching at Goldsmith’s in 2013, and has taught courses in social work, education, economics, social research, criminology, and social policy. Chris has taught at Kingston University since 2023 and has been an independent member of the Parole Board since 2025.
‘Makes a vital contribution… welcome additions which significantly improve what was already an excellent book.’
Dr Sue Taplin, Programme Lead, University of Leeds, UK
‘Ethics and values skilfully weaved into each and every element of assessment writing… easily digestible… creative and ever so engaging.’
Agnieszka M. Fearne (review of the 2nd edition in The British Journal of Social Work)
‘A very clear and honest read… I have recommended it to my students; and indeed to almost everyone I came across after I read it!’
Maggie Jane Jackson (review of the 1st edition in The British Journal of Social Work)
‘A slim volume with a real punch. This is one of those books that will be useful at every stage across a social work career and across client groups. Whether you pick this up when you are first learning your craft or refer to it later in your career when you need to refocus on a difficult piece of work, this will provide practical support.’
Jenni Randall, Independent Social Worker (review in Professional Social Work magazine)
‘Wow, it is brilliant… I really love this book. I picked it up to have a quick look and proceeded to read it from cover to cover… very engaging… my students will love it.’
Sally Riggall, University of Lincoln, UK
‘This book is about the art and science of report writing in social work and provides an “everything you need to know but were afraid to ask” account of how to produce concise, analytic writing in social work. The author locates effective report writing in the wider context of ethically aware, critically reflective practice which prioritises accurate recording as a means of freeing up time for what matters most: direct work with people. The book is written in an exceptionally clear and engaging style which combines a sense of authority with professional humility. It is a must for any social work student, newly qualified social worker or practitioner wishing to hone and develop their writing skills.’
Joan Fletcher, Head of Social Work, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK
‘This has become one of the key texts for practitioners and students who appreciate the accessible writing style and the use of practice examples… builds upon the strengths of its predecessors… a useful development of an important text.’
Campbell Killick (review of the 3rd edition in The British Journal of Social Work)
Amazon reviews
‘This book is fantastic. I wish I had this book when I first qualified as a social worker. I use it as a basic guide for my report writing now. I love how it is set out and how it is written. I also love the no nonsense approach’
‘This book is brilliant. The author’s witty and slightly exasperated sarcasm rings true to my ears when it comes to writing assessments. Chris Dyke is straight to the point and more often says to do exactly that.’
‘Very clearly and logically laid out. I would recommend this book to anyone starting out in social work who needs to get up to speed quickly on assessment writing!’
‘This is the only textbook I have ever read front to back. Every page was relevant and useful.’
‘One of the best social work books I have read… I managed to read and highlight the entire book in a day – literally couldn’t put it down.’
‘Exceptionally good book. Candid. Plain talking. To the point.’
‘Easy-to-read, highly applicable to daily practice and highly recommended.’
‘I love this book… it will be invaluable to students and NQSWs and I cannot rate it highly enough.’
