Family support services delivered using a restorative approach: A framework for relationship and strengths‐based whole‐family practice

Abstract

Family support services, an integral part of many welfare systems across the developed world, have witnessed a growing demand for the use of relationship and strengths-based whole-family approaches in the belief that this increases service engagement and effect. Despite this, knowledge that delivering services using such approaches can be challenging and calls for the identification and exploration of methods likely to promote and sustain their use. Restorative approach is an ethos and method centred on building and sustaining positive relationships, which is increasingly being adopted in family and children's services in the United Kingdom.Despite this, the scarcity of research conducted in this area as yet, means little is known of its use and effect in this context. This article draws on empirical data collected in a wider study exploring the efficacy of different family service delivery models to describe the use of restorative approach in family service provision and determine whether its adoption promotes sustained use of strengths and relationship-based whole-family approaches when working with families.Furthermore, it explores whether the process incorporates wider evidence-based methods of change.

The characteristics of Australian Maternal and Child Health home visiting nurses undertaking family violence work: An interpretive description study

“…Table 2 includes examples of the nurses describing how they have learnt to apply a strength‐based approach (Williams, 2019) and a knowledge of trauma‐informed care (Isobel et al, 2019) in planning care with families. Managers also felt that a strength‐based approach was critical—‘We certainly always work from a strength‐based perspective.…”

Policing Child Protection: Motivational Postures of Contesting Third Parties

“…The sidelining of third parties occurred in spite of evidence supporting the benefits of their direct involvement, along with that of communities, families and children. Many studies have emerged showing that family group conferencing and restorative justice conferencing are practicable and effective ways of making decisions in an inclusive, information-rich and empowering way (Burford & Pennell, 1998;Burford et al, 2019;Pennell et al, 2010;Sen et al, 2018;Williams, 2019). Equally significant has been the body of work that demonstrates the benefits of informal support networks to help families better manage risks to their children and provide for their well-being (Melton & McLeigh, 2020).…”

Realizing the potential of a strengths‐based approach in family support with young people and their parents

“…It has been described as ‘a way of thinking … a distinctive lens’ (Saleebey, 2002, p. 20) and as a value stance (Staudt et al, 2001) and therefore can be a somewhat elusive concept in terms of what it entails in ongoing supportive interventions. Although there has been some recent research on SBA in child welfare and protection services (Gray, 2011; Lietz, 2011; Oliver & Charles, 2015; Roose et al, 2014; Williams, 2019), there is an ongoing need to detail how SBA is incorporated into routine practice and what this means for those in receipt of services (Lietz, 2011; Toros & Falch‐Eriksen, 2021).…”