Publications from ODSW Social Insights: Letters by DSW (Vol 1) | Page 104

Family-Centred Practice

# Asking questions in a strengths-based, non-threatening manner.
# Involving the family in the assessment of their cultural beliefs, values and
practices that bear upon strengths, needs and resources.
# Listening well and hearing the underlying conditions, as well as the
immediate issues.
# Staying focused on the family’s goals. Making visits with families and
children purposeful.
# Providing the opportunity for children/ youths/ older persons/ families to
share their concerns.
• Critical Thinking Skills
# Critical thinking and knowledge of practice in the social worker help
families and children reframe their issues and translate problems into
needs and wants.
# Incorporating information from multiple assessments such as intake,
safety, and risk assessments, as well as mental health, substance abuse,
education and other assessments. Using these assessments to provide a
broad and deep picture of family issues.
# Helping families make decisions based on the comprehensive family
assessment, as to what has to change to achieve outcomes.
# Facilitating access to services by working collaboratively including
coaching families to interface with service agencies.
• Documentation/Writing Skills
# Documenting the information obtained during the assessment process in
a clear and concise assessment report.
# Creating assessments that are unique and individualized and NOT
interchangeable. Do not prescribe similar sets of services and supports
to multiple families.
# Describing feelings, behaviours, and events as specific strengths or needs.

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