What We Offer

We apply the IMPACT Assessment framework to provide clear, balanced, and professionally informed evaluations of each family’s circumstances.

The IMPACT model assesses 18 key parenting areas, aligned with the statutory Assessment Framework. Each parenting skill is evaluated and scored under one of the following categories:

Achieved independently
Requires ongoing support, monitoring, and intervention
Safeguarding concern

Observations are recorded discreetly and in real time, providing a transparent evidence base for all assessment outcomes.

In addition to core parenting competencies, the IMPACT model incorporates:

A comprehensive initial well-being assessment to identify the parent’s individual needs and any factors that may impact parenting capacity.
A personalised Safeguarding Action Plan, ensuring continuous monitoring of risk and progress throughout the placement.
Weekly Summary Report Meetings and regular well-being check-ins to review progress, monitor mental health, and adapt support as needed.

By week 12 of the placement (unless an extension is required), a detailed IMPACT Parenting Assessment Report will be completed. This report provides an evidence-based reflection of the parent’s capabilities across key domains, including:

Childcare and development
Behaviour management
Independent living skills
Safety and hygiene
Parental health
Relationships and support networks
The influence of the environment and community on parenting

The assessment also evaluates the parent’s ability to respond to their child’s needs, and to safeguard and promote their welfare both now and in the future.

Finally, the report includes clear, evidence-based recommendations to support the Local Authority in making informed future care planning decisions for the family. The report is reviewed and issued by Lighthouse Family Assessment Service’s Registered Manager.

Supporting Parents with Learning Needs

Lighthouse FAS has developed a specialist service to work with parents who have learning needs. Our staff have completed further training in the Parent Assess assessment model and our documentation and observations reflect the model, therefore the assessment is more holistic and simplified.

Our processes and practice are in line with ‘Good Practice Guidance on working with Parents with a Learning Disability’ (UOB 2021). Our sessions are individually planned with shorter sessions, frequent breaks and are repeated as required.
For parents who have learning needs, we offer an enhanced level of support and supervision ensuring that staff are present to demonstrate, model and reiterate information as often as necessary.

VIEW OUR PARENTS' GUIDE

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