Living Assessment: measurement, thresholds and the health of disabled and at- risk children in England, 1989-present (360G-Wellcome-218025_Z_19_Z)

Living Assessment will explore two assessments of children in England since 1989: attempts to measure the support requirements of disabled children; and attempts to measure threats of harm to children’s health and development in statutory social work practice. How have measurements been made about how and when state provision is necessary? How have thresholds for provision operated and been justified? How do people experience these assessments, and what are their concerns? These are important questions for understanding the role of health and measurement in welfare assessments of children, and for deepening and contextualising debates about the assessments, which have been intensified by austerity. To address these questions first we will study historical materials, drawing on new sources. Second, we will gather oral testimonies. Third, we will study patient records. Fourth, we will pursue action research, including a Parliamentary Inquiry, in collaboration with MPs and Lords from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Children. We will work closely with three groups of Experts by Experience: disabled children and adolescents, adult care leavers, and parents who have experienced social work intervention. Experts by Experience will be involved in research design, interpreting findings, analysing transcripts, and co-designing and co-implementing the action research.