Making Assessments Accessible for those with Learning Disabilities, Difficulties & Other Additional Needs

About MALD®

Welcome to the MALD® website. The Specialist Parenting Assessment Framework used nationally by Expert Witnesses, Social Workers, and social work professionals, to aid and maximise engagement when working with vulnerable parents / family members, including, but not limited to, persons with learning difficulties and disabilities.

“No parent should be disadvantaged in the social work assessment process…”

“Every parent should be supported to understand the social work assessment process…”

“Assessors should be specially trained to ensure each parent can engage in the process, regardless of vulnerability / disability / additional need…”

“No parent should be disadvantaged in the social work assessment process…”

“Every parent should be supported to understand the social work assessment process…”

“Assessors should be specially trained to ensure each parent can engage in the process, regardless of vulnerability / disability / additional need…”

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MALD® is a recognised national specialist assessment model.

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MALD® specialist parenting assessments are completed throughout the UK.

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MALD® provides a simple, parent’s explanation video, allowing parents to understand the parenting assessment process from the start.

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MALD® specialist assessment model starts with a robust assessment plan process.

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MALD® specialist assessment model fully aligns with the Assessment Framework (DoH 2000). No model should deviate from the Government Assessment Framework!

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MALD® specialist assessment model upskills the assessor to develop an awareness in neurodivergence with the assessor developing skills to sensitively work with people who have Autism, ADHD, and other additional needs.

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MALD® training course is a specialist training course that takes account of evolving legislation, national policy, and guidance.

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MALD® training course is the only specialist training course delivered by our team of Leading Expert Witnesses.

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Course founders and Leading Expert Witnesses (Danielle Hoskinson & Nichola Doyle) have received several commendations from Judges and Court Parties.

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MALD® does not rely on completion of work booklets or marking / scoring criteria – a specialist assessment should not be an exam or test for a parent.

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All MALD® visual aids and tools have been devised by leading Expert Witnesses, having worked with tens of thousands of vulnerable families throughout the UK, and having completed training in other specialist assessment models.

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All MALD® assessors are provided with a full, specialist toolkit following satisfactory completion of the two-day training course.

The model and toolkit founders

Profile of Danielle Hoskinson, Co-Founder

I have extensive experience leading in Ofsted-registered early years settings, working in substance misuse support programmes, before progressing to Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) co-ordinating Child Death Reviews and Serious Case Reviews.

I later qualified as a Social Worker (completing a Masters Degree in Social Work), progressing to a consultancy role working as a qualified Social Worker predominantly in the private and public law arena.

Owing to my passion and drive to cascade and transfer learning, knowledge and good practice standards, in 2019, I established ISW-Assessments Ltd. We are now a leading, national team of Expert Witnesses offering a range of services throughout the UK, including holistic, robust and triangulated specialist assessments.

I offer support and guidance to the leading team of Expert Witnesses, training provision to external services, and wider consultancy services to the courts and parties.

In 2021, I co-founded 24/7 Supervision Ltd., the leading in-home supervision and support service.

I continue to lead and develop best practice standards in social work, and I remain passionate to ensure assessors sensitively aid and maximise a person’s engagement, when working through assessment framework tools.

Profile of Nichola Doyle, Co-Founder

My background initially was working as an IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advocate), alongside the Police and Local Authorities, supporting those considered to be at high risk of domestic abuse.

I later worked in residential children’s homes, supporting vulnerable children in the care of the Local Authority, before completing a Masters Degree in Social Work and qualifying as a Social Worker.

Once qualified, I progressed through various management roles for Local Authorities, latterly practising as a Service Manager, before transferring to the expert witness field.

I have assessed and supported thousands of families using various, specialist assessment tools. I am committed to promoting positive engagement when working with individuals who may experience complex or additional vulnerabilities. It is imperative that best practice guidelines are upheld, adapting assessment style to the individual needs of a person.

In 2021, I co-founded 24/7 Supervision Ltd., – the leading service offers in-home supervision to individuals caring for children. The highly-skilled supervision team supports and supervises vulnerable parents and carers, keen to make positive changes.

I continue to practice as an experienced Expert Witness, in addition to offering consultancy services to social work professionals.

I facilitate and lead on the MALD® training programme, maintaining a keen interest in case law, practice standards, and national policy, ensuring each training course is an opportunity to support and develop knowledge of the wider social work community.

Testimonials

Adam McCarthy, Leading Expert Witness

“I am trained in several specialist assessment models and have completed thousands of assessments throughout the UK. I find the Mald® framework and tools to be the most user-friendly model of assessment. The training programme, support from founders, and offer of quality assurance service allows for reflective supervision, and to ensure there are no gaps in the report. I find that parents engage well, enjoy using the Mald® tools and feedback is positive.”

Mick Rimmington, An Associate Consultant for the British Institute of Learning Disability, Specialist Autism Consultant & Behavioural Therapist

“I have worked in the field of autism for over twenty years, and during that time, I have spent countless hours listening to and conversing with individuals on the autism spectrum. One topic that frequently arises is the stress and trauma many experience during assessments conducted by professionals, particularly when these evaluations take place in the individual’s home or when their personal capabilities are called into question…

The MALD® approach from ISW Assessments aims to alleviate many of the setting conditions that exacerbate stressors for the individual being assessed. This not only leads to a more comfortable and less traumatic experience for the individual but also facilitates a more accurate representation of the parent’s capabilities, as they are evaluated in more natural and relaxed conditions.

For me, what distinguishes the MALD® approach from many other / former parental assessment models is its commitment to person-centred strategies, relationship building, and flexible practices from the very beginning of the assessment process, rather than relying exclusively on a process-driven methodology.”

Catherine Strain, Specialist Community Public Health Nurse, Enhancing Families

“This is a groundbreaking, pioneering assessment framework that can be used by any professional in the social work sector. The visual tools and engaging activities allow for one to sensitively communicate with vulnerable parents and carers. The outcome assessment is easy for parents and lay members to understand, which is imperative when working with families who may be disadvantaged due to learning difficulties / disabilities and / or wider lifestyle challenges”.

Training

MALD® Training Academy runs several courses a month, provided either in-person, or remotely. The course duration is two consecutive days.

Please email us bookings@maldassessment.co.uk for a list of current training availability. Please also identify within your email whether you prefer remote or in-person training.

The course cost is £530

VAT is not applicable.

Completion of MALD® training can be recorded as CPD when completing Social Work England or Social Care Wales registration renewal.

Enquire

Meet MALDtilda (weighted doll) – used within the teaching / support / assessment processes.

Email: bookings@maldassessment.co.uk

MALD® is a subsidiary of ISW-Assessments Ltd.

ISW-Assessments Ltd. Co. Reg No: 12231983