How to Coach Yourself and Others Coaching Families

9. Indirect Work There are many areas of systemic work, which although they do not directly involve the presence of the family, are essential in supporting the ongoing work with the family. Directions for conducting this nondirect work are therefore outlined below. Therapists are reminded that the guiding principles outlined at the beginning of this manual will also be applicable to the non-direct work outlined in this section. 9.1 Child Protection Therapists should abide by the local child protection procedures outlined by their area. Wherever possible the local procedures should be carried out using the systemic principles described in section 2. It may be necessary to move from the domain of therapy to the domain of protection but the manner in which this is achieved should retain a systemic focus, and not preclude the possibility of moving back into the domain of therapy at a later stage. Therapists should inform the family that they are now not talking with them in their therapeutic role as they have serious concerns about the safety of a family member. Particular attention should be paid to bearing the needs of the system in mind whilst still prioritising the needs of the child for protection, the language and narratives about abuse and protection, and the co-construction of the relationship. If at all possible, without placing the child at further risk, therapists should discuss the child protection issues with the family, and keep them informed of any protective procedures that the therapist is to instigate. 9.2 Clarifying therapy with referrer present In situations where referrals are vague, complex, or involve a network of professionals, it may be necessary to clarify the nature and boundaries of the referral over the telephone, or in person. This ideally should be done with the referrer and family at a pre-therapy meeting, where the multiple views about therapy, its utility and limits, can be shared between all members of the system. However in referrals where there may be tensions in the referring relationship, or issues of advocacy may limit the family’s ability to communicate their ideas and wishes, separate contacts should be used to clarify therapy, before therapy commences. 227

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