Scoring and PJI-M Interpretation

SCORING AND INTERPRETATION OF THE PJI-MINI

1. Unsafe Online Contact

Best Answers:
a) Consultative – Second best (4)
b) Directive – Best bet (5)
c) Participative – Low merit (2)
d) Delegative – Very low merit (1)

PJI Rationale
This scenario strongly activates several PJI principles and judgement skills:
•    Pressing time constraint and potential risk of harm demand decisiveness rather than negotiation
•    The child lacks sufficient information, maturity, and perspective to assess safeguarding risk accurately
•    The parent can reasonably judge that they know enough to act immediately and that delay increases risk

Directive decision-making is the most appropriate style: it protects the child, contains risk, and provides clarity at a critical moment.
Consultative decision-making has merit as a secondary option because listening to the child helps maintain trust and understanding, but it cannot replace clear parental control in the moment.
Participative decision-making is inappropriate because the decision is not one where power should be equalised; attempting consensus risks diluting responsibility and delaying action.
Delegative decision-making is clearly inappropriate because the child cannot reasonably be trusted to manage a safeguarding issue of this nature independently.
 
Developmental Note 
This scenario is particularly useful for helping parents distinguish between:
•    being child-centred and
•    ceding authority prematurely.
It reinforces the PJI’s central message that good parenting judgement is not about favouring inclusion at all costs, but about consciously gearing power to the situation.

2. Hitting Out

Best Answers
a) Participative – Low merit (2)
b) Directive – Second best (4)
c) Consultative – Best bet (5)
d) Delegative – Very low merit (1)

PJI Rationale
This scenario is not time-critical, but it involves a pattern of behaviour, power imbalance, and the need for behavioural development rather than simple compliance. The Consultative approach is therefore optimal: it allows the parent to retain authority while actively engaging the older children in understanding impact, responsibility, and alternative responses. This aligns with PJI principles concerning development, understanding feelings, and settling arguments.
The Directive approach has merit as a clear boundary-setting response, particularly given the history of repeated reminders, but on its own it risks reinforcing compliance without growth.
Participative decision making has limited value here because equalising power is unlikely to be appropriate when the issue concerns harm to a younger child and entrenched behaviour.
Delegative decision making is inappropriate because the older children have already demonstrated that they cannot yet manage this issue responsibly without adult control and guidance.  

3. Pocket Money Review

Best Answers
a) Directive – Low merit (2)
b) Delegative – Very low merit (1)
c) Participative – Best bet (5)
d)Consultative – Second best (4)

PJI Rationale
This scenario presents a low-risk, non-urgent decision with strong developmental potential. It is well suited to equalising power in order to promote learning about fairness, negotiation, and financial responsibility. The Participative approach is therefore optimal, as it allows children to engage meaningfully in shaping a decision that affects them, while remaining within an appropriate parental framework.
The Consultative approach also has merit, as it values children’s views while retaining parental control, but it offers fewer opportunities for shared ownership and learning than a genuinely collaborative process.
The Directive approach has little value here because it bypasses a clear opportunity to develop autonomy and financial understanding.
The Delegative approach is inappropriate because it places responsibility for setting boundaries entirely on the children, rather than using the situation as a guided learning experience.  

4. Birthday Present

Best Answers
a) Directive – Low merit (2)
b) Participative – Best bet (5)
c) Delegative – Very low merit (1)
d) Consultative – Second best (4)

PJI Rationale
This is a low-risk, non-urgent decision with clear developmental value. The child is ready to engage but still benefits from adult guidance. The Participative approach is therefore optimal, as it supports learning about budgeting, proportionality, and forward planning while allowing the child genuine involvement and shared responsibility.
The Consultative approach has merit because it takes the child’s views seriously, but it limits learning by reserving final control with the parent.
The Directive approach has little value here, as it bypasses an opportunity for financial learning and ownership.
The Delegative approach is inappropriate because it removes the scaffolding the child still needs to develop sound judgement around money.  

5. Food for Thought

Best Answers
a) Directive – Very low merit (1)
b) Participative – Second best (4)
c) Consultative – Low merit (2)
d) Delegative – Best bet (5)
 
PJI Rationale
This is a low-risk, non-urgent decision where the children have demonstrated sufficient competence and readiness. Delegative decision making is therefore optimal: it communicates trust, supports independence, and allows the children to apply skills they already possess.
The Participative approach also has merit, as it supports shared thinking and reassurance, but it is less appropriate than delegation because it unnecessarily retains adult control in a situation the children can manage responsibly.
The Consultative approach limits development by inviting views without granting ownership.
The Directive approach is inappropriate because it removes an opportunity for autonomy and confidence-building where no safeguarding concern is present.  

Further Development Note
You have used the 'Best Answers' above to check your own 1-5 ratings. You can draw confidence if your 4-5 and 1-2 answers match the pattern in the scoring key, and hope that this usually translates itself into real life.  You might next ask others in the family if they agree.

The ten judgement questions on the attached page will help you explain your logic and check with others in the family that they agree.  If the children are developmentally able, you can include them in that discussion as it will be a learning experience for them, which they can carry into their lives in the future.