ZWorking with Challenging and Hard to Help Families in Social Work Practice

Target Group / Level

All practitioners across Childrens Services

Course Overview

The focus of this course is to develop techniques, skills and behaviours to support positive outcomes with families, children and young people. It includes being able to recognise and respond appropriately to defensive action that are triggered in the interaction with families. 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session attendees will:

Be able to practice in a more reflective way and have improved capacity to analyse response to families 'behaviour'. 
Have an improved theoretical understanding and ability to recognise defensive behaviours, including the impact of social stressors, diversity and life experiences. 
Examined and practiced techniques to neutralise challenging/defensive behaviours to be able to respond appropriately to challenging families. 
Have developed a sound understanding of 'authoritative practice' and how to use this approach with families 
Used evidence based knowledge and learning from serious case reviews to assist with critical thinking. 
Developed techniques to keep the child at the centre of the work, despite challenges raised by adults 
Be able to record a proportionate and balanced account of the interaction which reflects an emotionally intelligent response following a challenging situation. 
Have increased knowledge and skills when engaging with challenging or difficult to engage families. 
Be able to make balanced and proportionate records of intervention without bias. 
Be able to link practice to the knowledge and skills statements for approved child and family practitioners.