How can we ensure social workers create lasting change when working directly with parents and children? Explore new Research in Practice resources on effective communication and relationships.
Working with children, young people and families can be one of the most rewarding parts of social work. However, we need to recognise the power practitioners’ hold and use it responsibly and ethically. A new online resource from Richard Devine outlines how to liberate practitioners to better support the people they are working with. The resource contains a range of tools, videos and guidance for social workers.
Developing communication skills can also improve the quality of everyday interactions and outcomes. A new Practice Guide and video aims to develop child-centred communication and support practitioners who who need to talk to children about difficult issues. Additionally, a new podcast explores direct work with parents. It unpacks the tensions of practice and reflects on the emotional landscape for practitioners and family members.
It is important to build collaborative, purposeful and productive relationships with parents and children.
Reframing social work - Expectation, reality and change
This online resource from Richard Devine outlines how a different perspective on the role of social worker might liberate practitioners to better support the people they are working with. Each section looks at a different part of social work and explores how we can make effective changes to practice.
Child-centred communication in child protection: Practice Guide
Developing child-centred communication skills can improve the quality of everyday interactions with children. This practice guide and accompanying video aims to support practitioners to develop their communication skills with children.
Working with parents in children’s social care: Podcast
In this two-part podcast, Donald Forrester and Richard Devine join Susan Ridpath to share their insights into working with parents in child and family social work. The podcasts explore how we can build collaborative relationships with parents.
Social work as a bridge for change
A critical element of working with change is to help parents see some of the benefits that could be derived from changing. In our short video, Richard Devine outlines how this functions as a bridge between where they are and where they want to be.
The video is taken from the new Reframing social work - Expectation, reality and change web resource.
