The role of practitioners in intensive family support programs, which focus on keeping children safe in a "risky" environment, is complex and multifaceted. One important aspect of the worker's role is to assist parents develop the practical skills and knowledge required to meet their children's basic safety needs. This resource will present the evidence-based principles of parent skills training, which could be applied to support parents develop any child care or home care skill.
A range of intensive, home-based family support programs exist which primarily receive referrals from statutory child protection services. The goals of these programs are to reduce re-notification or re-substantiation risk, or to enable child protection to close the case without court involvement, prevent removal into care, or restore a child to their birth family. These programs aim to prevent child protection services involvement and increase the likelihood of children remaining within their families.
It is not surprising that service providers in these programs face a challenging task. An important component of the worker's role in these intensive family support programs is to assist parents to develop the basic practical skills required to meet their children's safety needs.
How do family support workers in these programs teach parents these practical skills? There is sound research evidence to suggest that the most effective programs for at-risk families have a strong emphasis on providing parent education and skills training based on behavioural and social learning principles. These involve giving explicit instructions, modelling, role-play rehearsal, providing constructive feedback, and setting homework exercises with clear performance criteria to assist parents develop the basic skills required to provide adequate safety and care e.
The role of worker is not to simply "show them how", but to model and teach these skills in a supportive, non-judgemental way so that parents may develop a sense of self-efficacy and mastery so to be able to competently perform these tasks with confidence. It is important to note that other important factors impacting on the family's level of risk - such as parent-child attachment, and parental issues such as mental health, substance abuse, financial stress and family violence - would also be addressed in parallel within these programs.
Parent skills training would form one part of an overall case plan, and it is beyond the scope of this article to address these additional issues here. Based on social learning principles, this evidence-based eco-behavioural program is designed for families at risk of abuse or neglect, and provides structured skills training to parents in their own homes in the areas of infant and child health, home safety and cleanliness, and child behaviour management. The seven steps described in Table 1 could be applied to teaching any skill.
Bathing a baby safely is used as an example. Explain to the parent what the goal behaviours are using simple language - e. Most skills involve a sequence of behavioural steps. For example, bathing a baby involves pouring the bath, testing the temperature holding and washing the baby etc. Clearly describe the target behaviour by breaking it down into its procedural steps - e. Ask the parent to observe you demonstrate each of the behavioural steps.
Explain each in detail as you do it. Naturally conflicts are going to arise. In accordance with Federal law and U. Department of Agriculture policy, Cooperative Extension is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Skip to site content. Fact Sheets And Publications. Cooperative Extension. Plant and Insect Diagnostics. Soil Testing. Garden Helpline. Ask Extension. Staff Directory. Communication Skills for Your Family Communication is the basic building block of our relationships.
Developing good communication skills is critical for successful relationships, whether parent, child, spouse, or sibling relationship. Generally, when we feel heard, we are less angry, stressed, and more open to resolving problems than when we feel misunderstood. Feeling heard and understood also develops trust and caring between people.
Communication is a two-way process. For communication to happen there must be 1 a sender—who conveys a message—and 2 a receiver—to whom the message is sent. In successful communication the sender is clear and accurately conveys the message she is trying to send. Also, the receiver clearly understands the message. Many things can get in the way of good communication. For example: When we assume we know what others are thinking, or that they should know what we are thinking.
When we focus on what we want to say while others are talking—instead of listening to them. This approach involves: identifying the problem brainstorming as many solutions as possible jointly evaluating the pros and cons deciding on a solution to try putting the solution into action reviewing the solution after a period of time. Here are some tips for putting this approach into action : Prepare for conversations about difficult issues.
This is because parents can feel upset and stressed by these conversations. If you think ahead about what you need to say and about the most sensitive and respectful way to say it, it can help your discussion go well. Try to schedule a time when parents are most available.
Or it might be best to call parents during the day. Discuss concerning behaviour without judgment. Try to focus on facts and whether the behaviour is appropriate. Explain what might contribute to the behaviour. This can help you and parents work out how to change the behaviour. If a family member does something impressive, at home or at work, let them know! It can be something as simple as thanking them for making you laugh or spending time with you.
Expressing appreciation is a great way to strengthen family relationships. There are countless ways to spend time with your family. However, you need to make sure that family time is quality time, not just quantity time. Give your children and your partner your full attention when spending time together. Turn off your phone and really try to get to know your family member.
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