Guidance

Applied knowledge example questions – practitioners

Published 19 June 2019

This guidance was withdrawn on 6 February 2023

The NAAS programme closed in March 2022. Children’s social care: Stable Homes, Built on Love was published on 2 February 2023 and sets out details of a new early career framework and integrated assessment for social workers post-qualification.

Applies to England

These sample questions will not appear on the assessment. They’ve been included here to help you prepare for the assessment.

Applied knowledge example questions for child and family practitioners

Follow these instructions to help you prepare for the applied knowledge section of the assessment.

A description of the knowledge and skills statements (KSS) areas are also available.

1. Read the passage.

2. Read the question relating to the passage.

3. Select the correct answer or answers from the list of choices.

Passage

You’re working with a family in care proceedings and the care plan states that the father must attend a drug rehabilitation programme.

You’re concerned that the father will not cooperate and you’re considering ways you can encourage his ongoing engagement so he can continue to be considered as a carer for the children.

Question

Which of the following do you consider to be the best approach to try and achieve the father’s ongoing engagement?

KSS area

The KSS area is ACFP 1.

Question format

Single correct answer. Select 1 correct answer only.

Choices

• Spend time carefully explaining to the father that he’s compelled to attend by the court.
• Spend time with the father to make sure he fully understands how his behaviour will have an impact on the longer term care of the children.
• Make sure the father understands that the court can fine him if he does not comply with the care plan.
• Promise the father that the children will live with him if he attends the drug rehabilitation.

Correct answer

Spend time with the father to make sure he fully understands how his behaviour will impact on the longer term care of the children.

Passage

You’re undertaking an assessment of an 18-month-old child following a referral expressing concern about neglect.

You observe the child playing on the floor but not yet walking independently. You also see an empty pushchair in front of the television.

The child does not present any signs of distress but you’re concerned about the child’s development. When asked, the parents say none of the children in the family walked before 19 months and they say there’s a family history of a medical condition affecting the hips.

Question

What would be your initial response to the parents’ explanation?

KSS area

The KSS area is ACFP 3.

Question format

Single correct answer. Select 1 correct answer only.

Choices

• Do not tell parents you are concerned as you are worried that challenging them would affect your working relationship with them.
• Confirm that the parents’ explanation sounds feasible and accept their account as they appear genuine.
• Explain your concern and that you would need to explore this further with health professionals.
• Ring the GP from the house and tell the parents you want to arrange a medical today.

Correct answer

Explain your concern and that you would need to explore this further with health professionals.

Passage

You’re the duty social worker and receive a telephone call from A&E stating that a mother, who is the sole carer for 2 children, is admitted into hospital in an emergency following a suicide attempt.

There are 2 children aged 2 and 6 years old. The children are in school or nursery and the time is 2pm.

Question

What would you do next?

KSS area

The KSS area is ACFP 4.

Question format

Multiple correct answers. Select 3 correct answers from the list below.

Choices

• Attend court to obtain an emergency protection order (EPO).
• Collect the children from school or nursery and immediately place them in foster care with no order.
• Contact the school or nursery to establish if they have any information regarding wider family or friend networks for the children.
• Liaise with partner agencies including the hospital and an adult social worker to establish mum’s current health needs.
• Ask the teacher if they could care for the children until a suitable plan is established.
• Ask a close friend of the mother to take the children on an informal basis.
• Tell the mother that she doesn’t have any parental responsibility while she is in hospital.
• Establish if there are any extended family members.

Correct answers

• Contact the school or nursery to establish if they have any information regarding wider family or friend networks for the children.
• Liaise with partner agencies including the hospital and an adult social worker to establish mum’s current health needs.
• Establish if there are any extended family members.

Passage

Ali and his 5-year-old daughter, Mina, have been known to children’s social care since Mina was born. Ali and Mina’s mother (Lana) had a significant drug problem.

The 2 of them separated when Mina was 3 years old, and now Lana rarely has contact with her daughter.

Recently Mina has been coming to school in dirty clothes and appears tired. Her attendance is below 60%. Ali has been involved with the community drugs team for 6 months.

You’re concerned about Mina’s safety and emotional development and you’re continuing to assess his capacity to make the kind of change that is necessary for Mina’s safety and well-being. Ali makes a number of statements about his commitment to change and sometimes these are confusing.

Question

Which of the following statements from Ali indicate that he may be ready and able to make the changes required to safeguard Mina?

KSS area

The KSS area is ACFP 6.

Question format

Multiple correct answers. Select 3 correct answers from the list below.

Choices

• I know I have a problem but I’m not sure the community drugs team can help.
• I’m not perfect, but I’m no worse than anyone else. Mina is fine!
• What I really need is for social services to go away. I wouldn’t be using drugs if you didn’t stress me out so much.
• I get depressed when I think about my own experiences but I know I must place Mina first.
• It is Lana’s job to care for Mina, not mine. You should contact her instead of me.
• If you could sort my eviction notice and benefits, I would be more focused.
• If I hadn’t been in care myself, I wouldn’t be in this situation.
• It’s really hard to give up. All of my friends use drugs. I know I need your help to do this.

Correct answers

• I know I have a problem but I’m not sure the community drugs team can help.
• I get depressed when I think about my own experiences but I know I must place Mina first.
• It’s really hard to give up. All of my friends use drugs. I know I need your help to do this.

KSS areas

The table below lists KSS and the practice area the KSS relates to.

KSS	Area
1	Relationships and effective direct work
2	Communication
3	Child development
4	Adult mental ill health, substance misuse, domestic abuse, physical ill health and disability
5	Abuse and neglect of children
6	Child and family assessment
7	Analysis, decision-making, planning and review
8	The law and the family and youth justice systems
9	The role of supervision
10	Organisation context