Axford N, Green V, Kalsbeek A, Morpeth L and Palmer C (2009) ‘Measuring children’s needs: how are we doing?’, Child & Family Social Work 14 (3), 243-254
 
Abstract
Children's services in England and Wales are legally required to determine the nature and extent of children's needs in their areas as a precursor to providing needs-led services. However, few needs assessments are ever published. This article analyses 83 such reports conducted between 1999 and 2007 in two local authorities in England (one urban, one rural), focusing on their quality and usefulness. It makes recommendations for improving practice in this important area, both in terms of the type of needs assessment required and how best to produce and use them.
 
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The PDF attached below is a pre-peer reviewed version of the following article:  Axford N, Green V, Kalsbeek A, Morpeth L and Palmer C (2009) ‘Measuring children’s needs: how are we doing?’, Child & Family Social Work 14 (3), 243-254