Working with families (1—2 days)

Support workers’ efforts to provide the very best service to service users is often hampered by poor relationships with service users’ families who may be seen as “not giving a damn” or indeed interfering.

This course aims to help support workers understand the complex triad relationship and as a result work in a more empathic way. Participants will explore a range of issues related to family dynamics and how the service user functions within this. This course will provide many ideas on how to engage with family members in a cooperative and positive way and what to do when the dynamic is damaging the service user.

The course certificate provides NVQ and CIS links.

Learning objectives:

By the end of this course participants should understand:

• What is meant by the ‘family’
• How the contemporary family is different-the range of compositions
• The function of the family-what positives can family life have
• The roles and responsibilities within the family: Traditional and contemporary features
• How the structure, role and function of the family differs in a range of cultures
• What is meant by the ‘dysfunctional’ family
• The life path that families expect to follow
• The impact that a disability of a family member can have on the family
• How family behaviour can adapt:
        -compensation
        -over-protection
        -withdrawal
        etc.
• How families can experience a ‘living bereavement’:
        -anger
        -guilt
        -blame
        -depression
• How this might translate into behaviour
• What it might be like for a family member to be supported by others
• How this might manifest
• Common challenges faced by support workers regarding service users’ families
• How to work in a cooperative way with family members
• What is assertive behaviour
• How to apply assertiveness skills with family members
• When the behaviour of a family member is hampering the growth of a service user
• How to set appropriate boundaries
• Diffusing difficult situations

Training methods:

• Tutor presentations
• OHP/PowerPoint
• Role play
• Small group work
• Pairs work
• Chalk & talk
• Word shower method
• Handouts

CP58/4.9