Guidelines for the appropriate referral of child clients for forensic assessments

Abstract

This article reports on a study which aimed at establishing a guideline for social workers in the offices of the Christian Council for Social Services in the Highveld Synod, in order to facilitate proper referral for forensic assessments in cases of child sexual abuse. The guidelines have been drawn up on the basis of information gathered from the relevant literature and from focus group discussions and individual interviews with social workers specializing in forensic social work. Although the guidelines have been developed specifically for the above-mentioned organization, social workers in other child and family care organizations could also derive benefit from them.