Publications from ODSW Social Insights: Letters by DSW (Vol 1) | Page 101

Family-Centred Practice

Dear Students of Social Work,
One common topic among professionals is the discussion around familycentred practice. And while each social worker is expected to be able to
practise family-centred work, it does look like what is often practised is family
work which may not tantamount to family-centred practice.

So What Exactly Does Family-Centred Practice
Look Like?
Family-centred practice includes three key elements: (1) an emphasis on
strengths, not deficits; (2) promoting family choice and control over resources;
and (3) the development of a collaborative relationship between parents and
professionals. It sounds logical but not necessarily intuitive.
The approach for family-centred practice hinges on a way of working with
families. It is a systematic way of creating a partnership with families that (a)
treats them with dignity and respect, (b) honours their values and choices,
and (c) provides supports that strengthen and enhance their functioning as
a family1.
Most social workers today start from a strengths-based practice as distinct
from the traditional problem-focused approach. But attaining a competency
of family-centred practice requires mindfulness about building partnership
and sharing power in working with families in a family-centred way as
compared to applying a set of specific skills in a professional-centred way.
There are six core intervention components in such a practice. These are
family engagement, teaming, assessing, service planning, intervening and
tracking/adjusting or closure. They may be taught or called different names
but these in essence are involved in the intervention.

1 Carl J. Dunst, Carol M. Trivette and Deborah W. Hamby. (2007). Mental Retardation and
Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews. Meta-analysis of family-centered Helpgiving
Practices Research. Volume 13 (Issue 4), pages 370–378.

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