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The Power of Their Words

The Power of Their Words. Anne-Maree Thomas – Program Leader Families First. “I think Families First were great. They always treated me well. I don’t know what would have happened if not for them.”. “I would back this service 100% just as it is.”. Connections UnitingCare.

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The Power of Their Words

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  1. The Power of Their Words Anne-Maree Thomas – Program Leader Families First

  2. “I think Families First were great. They always treated me well. I don’t know what would have happened if not for them.”

  3. “I would back this service 100% just as it is.”

  4. Connections UnitingCare • is based in the Eastern and Southern regions of Melbourne • provides services to to disadvantaged families and vulnerable children and youth.

  5. Families First • Connections has been providing the Families First program since 1995 • In early 2009 Connections undertook a review of the program in conjunction with the Department of Human Services (DHS)

  6. The redeveloped program aims to • Provide a comprehensive, whole of life assessment of the family • Get to really understand where the family is up to and what is important to them • Use this assessment to better target our interventions

  7. Program Outline • Referrals from Child Protection • Interventions of 8 weeks duration • Intensive in home service up to 15 hours per week • 35 family preservation targets • 15 family reunification targets

  8. Use of the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale (NCFAS) • Development of a team with varied backgrounds to assist • Engagement of families and Child Protection as equal partners in the journey

  9. Agency Values • Respect -We recognize the value and unique worth of every person. We listen to people and honour difference. • Equity -We strive to address social injustice by promoting reconciliation hope and change though empowerment and advocacy. • Responsiveness -We are open, amenable, inclusive, accessible, flexible and tenacious in answer to need.

  10. Agency Values • Relationship -We work with people collaboratively and in partnership to create strong, honest and trusting connections based upon open communication and shared understanding. • Learning -We believe in and are committed to the growth and development of people. We model best practice, reflect on our performance, acknowledge and learn from mistakes and embrace change.

  11. How do we do it? • Limited number of goals • Clarify with Child Protection what their priorities are • Meet with the family and Child Protection together • Ask the family what they would like

  12. Putting the goals into their words • Child Protection goal of “appropriate discipline” became: “I want to get my kids to behave with hurting them”

  13. Understanding what the goals mean to the family Father would know if he had achieved this goal if • he could stop his kids fighting without losing his temper or hitting them • Know about other ways of doing things and be able to do them • If he could do this then Child Protection would let his family be together

  14. Other goals that families have identified include: • “I want to know what makes these kids ‘tick’. What goes on in their head and what I can do to nurture and help the situation” • “I would like there to be more peace and co-operation in the house” • “I would like to be more consistent and to be better at managing the boys’ behaviour”

  15. “I want a routine for my kids and me. I want to be able to give (my child) a normal home life and keep it up” • “I want to work on bonding with the girls. I want to be with (my daughter) and play with her and have fun. I want to do more things with her.” (Mother)

  16. Continuing to use the words of our clients is important We do this by: • Use of the clients words and goals in reports to Child Protection • Using their words to translate goals into actions • Listening and reflecting back in their own words • Acceptance of goals in their words by Child Protection • Using their words in the written agreements with Child Protection

  17. Outcomes • Increased acceptance of ongoing supports by families • Improved ability to identify what they want and to negotiate with services • Child Protection withdraws from approximately 70% of preservation cases at the end of Families First intervention

  18. “We now have more order, structure and routine in our lives. Before we were very disorganized and now we all have a timetable. It (Families First intervention) was very successful” • “The huge change in our lifestyle. We used to be totally disorganised and in a mess. We are now able to plan and function in a better way. We are happier! • “The whole service is fantastic, what you do there is absolutely wonderful” • “We are all very happy and think it is a great service”

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