ISW Family assessments in Victoria, Australia

I have recently had an opportunity to engage in an SGO assessment process involving a set of grandparents resident in the State of Victoria, Australia. Although I had qualified as a social worker two Australian Universities and worked as a social worker in the country, this was in two other States and quite a few years ago. Therefore, my SGO assessment work in Australia this October enabled me to gain a good understanding of Child Protection legislation, applicable family court orders and available social support provisions in the State of Victoria. Local Australian social workers and education professionals were also open to a meaningful collaboration and information exchange. I am happy to say that my final recommendations have been well received, both by the commissioning U.K. local authority and the grandparents themselves!

A word of caution to social workers on their way to Australia to assess family members there- please factor the unavoidable jet lag into your assessment plan and timescales. Although I have travelled that route for years (as a dual Polish and Aussie citizen) I did make the mistake of not allowing enough onward travel recovery time before jumping into day-long assessment interviews and visits… Still, a quick nap in a car whilst parked under a shady eucalyptus tree did help, despite a couple of noisy kookaburras trying to keep me awake...

Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss any ISW assessment work that might necessitate direct engagement with family and professionals in Australia. Here is a quick link to an earlier blog on my connections with Australia and related professional services that I offer

Arthur Gajewski