British Journal of Social Work Vol. 34 No. 7 © BASW Trading Ltd 2004 all rights reserved
The Trans-Theoretical Model of Change: A Reliable Blueprint for Assessment in Work with Children and Families?
John Corden was, until January 2003, the Director of the York and Regions Child Care Award Programme, based at the University of York. He now works as a team manager with the City of York Children’s Services. Previously, he was a probation officer, the manager of the East Leeds Family Service Unit, and a Reviewing Officer for the City of York.
Jon Somerton was a part-time lecturer in social work at the University of York, and simultaneously held a part-time post as a tutor and senior social worker at Leeds Addiction Unit. Previously, he was a social worker with Leeds Social Services Department, a member of the therapeutic services team in Leeds, and the practice learning co-ordinator for Family Service Units in Leeds. He also worked as a Quality Assurance Manager with the City of York Children’s Services. Jon died in January 2003, at the age of 47, shortly after this paper was first submitted for publication.
Correspondence to John Corden, 1 Brockfield Road, Huntington, York YO31 9DX, UK. Email: John_Corden{at}msn.com
Summary
In this paper, the authors consider the promotion of Prochaska and DiClemente’s transtheoretical model of change (the TTM) to the assessment of parenting capacity, within the literature which supports the Framework for Assessment. A number of criticisms of the model, originating from within its original area of application are reviewed, and considered in the context of the assessment of parenting. The authors go on to raise certain questions about the validity of transferring this model from the field of addictive behaviours to that of parenting and child protection.
Keywords: Assessment, parenting capacity, addiction