Does BBIC make a difference? Structured assessment of child protection and support

Assessments of children in need in Sweden have been criticized for inadequate investigation and documentation and for not allowing children enough participation. In an effort to achieve greater systematization and to make assessments more ‘child-centred’, the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare has sanctioned the development of BBIC (Children’s Needs in Focus). BBIC is inspired by the ‘Framework for Assessment of Children in Need’ used in England and Wales. In a study of BBIC in seven municipalities, method triangulation was used. A quantitative file study, evaluating written assessments, was complemented by a survey study and interviews with practitioners who conduct assessments. The results show improved, though uneven, illumination of the child’s needs in assessments and some improvement concerning the parents’ capacity to meet the child’s needs. More relevant information was also collected concerning the child’s family situation and environment, and there were more contacts made with collaborative partners. The results show clear tendencies to greater focus on the child. Social workers found that BBIC leads to better assessments, though at the expense of increased administration.