CUBAS Comprehensive Training & Licencing (Birmingham), May 2025

1. What is CUBAS?

CUBAS Dynamic Parenting Assessment is a fully Re-D, Good Practice Guidance/WTPN compliant approach to comprehensive assessment of parenting.

CUBAS is designed for highly effective adaptable application within pre-birth pre proceedings, care proceedings (including revocation applications and in kinship care assessment).

CUBAS provides an inclusive, full, fair and balanced assessment. Where additional learning needs/contrasting communication styles, are indicated, CUBAS assessors tailor approaches for each parent, using additional diagnostic reports and/or intermediary recommendations if applicable.

CUBAS goes further in depth and breadth to assess fairly and inclusively, not just parenting capacity, but the parents’ potential for change.

CUBAS approaches actively engage parents and encourages improved insight and development throughout. CUBAS explores the relevant obstacles to safer parenting and promotes tangible solutions where possible.

CUBAS assessments evidence strengths, and residual risks / unmet needs, and identify support requirements. CUBAS actively drives change. So, where change is possible, it is frequently indicated early within the process of assessment, thus affording more timely planning and decisions for children in the care of the local authority, and those on the threshold of care.

CUBAS can be effectively applied at any stage throughout proceedings. The earlier CUBAS is undertaken the better but it’s never too late!

CUBAS assessments address all the relevant social issues and obstacles to safe care, no matter how complex.

2. Who is CUBAS for?

A CUBAS assessment is for any parent (subject to local authority involvement) whose childcare potentially demands greater knowledge, insight, understanding and development.

As increasingly recommended within psychological/ cognitive/capacity assessments, CUBAS is suitable for any parent including those with additional learning / communication and mental health needs. CUBAS is also highly effective in complex matters and with couples with contrasting cognitive profiles.

3. CUBAS - A Value Added Assessment

CUBAS reports are widely welcomed by the courts and reputed for their clarity and high quality. The prescribed reporting templates include clear findings, analysis and recommendations including those for training and support. Within reports, strengths, risks and needs are simply colour coded by the assessor. They are visually clear and easily understood.

Where a parent is able/or unable to make adaptations then a CUBAS assessment and report will make this clear. CUBAS joint assessments, consider parents individually and jointly to avoid delays in planning should they subsequently separate. This reduces requirements for reassessment and saves valuable court time.

In the event further assessment is required to review progress ‘CUBAS Reassess’ ensures focussed efficient and timely measurement of what has changed and what risks remain. CUBAS assessments address all the relevant social issues and obstacles to safe care, no matter how complex. CUBAS assessments afford parents and professionals clear timely indications of any strengths, needs and residual risks and those for which services and support are required (and for how long).

4. Training & Licensing

A CUBAS assessment report must be authored by a qualified social worker who has completed a two-day face to face CUBAS training programme. Alternatively qualified professionals may also access the training at the discretion of their employers.

Practitioners are trained and licensed by CUBAS creators to follow a dynamic and robust assessment process, utilising a range of bespoke facilitation tools, analysis prompts, and prescribed report templates. CUBAS Licence numbers must be on all CUBAS reports, these are verifiable via info@cubas.co.uk. Geraldine Wetherell & Associates Ltd are not a social work agency. A register of CUBAS licensed ISW’s is available upon written request. Arrangements are then directly secured with your chosen assessor.

Training is available nationwide for just £599 inclusive and can be booked via www.cubas.co.uk or via info@cubas.co.uk. Groups for local authorities, agencies and residential units by arrangement.