Applying Strengths-Based Approaches in Social Work

Front Cover
Applying Strengths-Based Approaches in Social Work
Copyright information
Dedication
Table of Contents
List of tables
Notes on contributors
Acknowledgements
1 An introduction to strengths-based approaches: inclusive and respectful practice
	The aims of this book
	The organisation of the book
	An introduction to strengths-based approaches to social work practice
	The four elements of a strengths-based approach
	Twelve guidelines for a strengths-based assessment
		Understanding the power of language
	Types of strengths-based approaches
	What does the research tell us?
		Critical perspectives
	The UK practice picture
	Characteristics of strengths-led practitioners
2 Theoretical context for the strengths-based approach
	Origins of the strengths-based approach
	What is a strengths-based approach?
	Social constructionism
	Agency
	Social capital
	Resilience
	Social work theory
	Empowerment theory
	Ecological systems theory
	Culturally appropriate social work practice
	Key principles for social work practice
	Conclusion
	Further reading
3 Solution-focused practice
	Introduction – a usable approach?
	A good fit?
	A little history, including some more usable ideas
	Formula first session task
	Exceptions and pre-session change
	The future focus and the miracle question
	Two ways
	The BRIEF version
	Setting a direction
	Describing preferred futures
	Describing progress and what’s working
	Instances
	Description and agency
	Scaling questions
	Listening with a constructive ear
	Further practice examples and tips
	Does it work?
	Conclusion
	Key learning points
	Note
	Further reading
4 Family Group Conferences
	What are FGCs?
	FGCs as a strengths-based approach
	Empowerment theory
	Ecological systems theory
	Culturally sensitive social work practice
	Research findings
	Critical perspectives
	Case study: Family Group Conference case study (provided by Will Golden, FGC co-ordinator)
		Family members
		Introduction
		Family preparation
		The FGC
		Review
		Feedback
	Conclusion
	Further reading
5 Signs of Safety
	Introduction
	Development
	Principles
		Working relationships
		Thinking critically
		Landing grand aspirations
	Risk
		Case study: Lucy
		Words and pictures
		Adult safeguarding and SoS – mapping out Lucy’s case
			Initial mapping meeting
	Step 2 Judgement: scaling questions
		Scaling questions
		SoS language
		My Three Houses
		Lucy’s Three Houses
		Lucy’s journey … so far
	Research
	Conclusion
	Acknowledgement
	Further reading
6 Multisystemic therapy
	Development of multisystemic therapy worldwide
	Overview of MST
	Theoretical orientation and principles
	Multisystemic therapy for child abuse and neglect (MST-CAN)
	Development of MST within the UK
	Workforce and social work context
	Referrals to MST
	MST’s strengths-based approach in the context of UK social work
	Conclusion
	Acknowledgements
	Further reading
7 A narrative approach to social work
	Introduction
	Narrative concepts and methods
	Master narrative and counter-narrative
	The development of narrative approaches in social work
	Using a narrative approach in practice
	Assessments
	Externalising the problem
	Narrative and biographical work
		Narrative approaches with children and young people
	Narrative approaches with adults
	Narrative approaches to social work with family and social networks
	Conclusion
	Further reading
8 Strengths-based approaches in adult social care
	Introduction
	The history and development of strengths-based approaches
	The Care Act (2014): introducing the ‘new’ strengths-based approach
	The contemporary context
	Strengths-based framework for adult social work
	Strengths-based approaches in practice
	Focus on the Three Conversations approach
	Focus on Making Safeguarding Personal
	The case of Luke Davey: R (Davey) v. Oxfordshire CC
	Responsibilisation
	Care
	Community
	Conclusion
	Further reading
9 Strengths-based approaches in mental health services
	Introduction
	The pathology of mental distress
	Personal is political
	Lost for words
	Punitive Personal Independence Payments
	All in the mind
	Arcs of resistance: ‘opening the window’
	‘A human-shaped space’
	Case studies: Lynne and David
	Conclusion
	Further reading
10 People with lived experience of strengths-based approaches
	Introduction
	Why involve people with lived experience?
	People with lived experiences of ‘traditional social work’ practice
	Involving people with lived experience in generic strengths-based social work
	Family Group Conferences
	Solution-focused practice
	Conclusion
	Acknowledgements
	Further reading
11 Conclusion
References
Index