Abstract
Low-threshold family services, such as Blue Cross Children’s Station, are designed to offer flexible, relationship-based support to families facing psychosocial challenges. However, the very flexibility that ensures accessibility can hinder systematic documentation, particularly developmental changes in children and youth. This study investigates frontline staff’s attitudes toward documentation practices, with a specific focus on the perceived usefulness and feasibility of using standardized assessment tools to monitor child and youth development over time.
Survey data were collected from staff (N = 64) across all ten Blue Cross Childres’ Station sites in Norway (response rate: 93%). Results indicate strong agreement on the importance of tracking child development, especially in domains such as social interaction and emotional well-being. However, staff also reported notable barriers to implementation, including time constraints, lack of context-appropriate tools, and uncertainty regarding data interpretation and feedback processes. Feedback tools such as the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS) and Session Rating Scale (SRS) were generally well received, but their practical use, particularly with younger children and in group settings, was described as limited.
Findings reveal a tension between the value staff place on structured assessment and the operational realities of low-threshold environments. There is a clear demand for brief, validated tools that are developmentally appropriate, easy to administer, and meaningful within everyday practice. This study underscores the importance of tailoring evidence-based documentation strategies to fit the contextual, relational, and practical needs of family services working with children and youth.