Unfamiliar Territory
This report shares our research into statutory and voluntary organisations’ capacity to implement Think Family principles in their work with adults with multiple needs. As well as research findings, it contains policy and literature reviews, service user feedback and recommendations for development. Our one-year research project arose, along with the focus on families, from the 2006 consultation that contributed to our new strategic plan. One objective that emerged was to research, develop and pilot new approaches to practice with adults with multiple needs to promote their social inclusion.
We identified four key areas that promote social inclusion for the most marginalised in the criminal justice system. One of these was improving family ties and social networks. The Government’s Think Family initiative, launched in 2008, aims to provide a theoretical imperative and a practical showcase for working with families with multiple needs. We developed a methodology testing the principles and potential impact of this approach for adults with multiple needs and their family members. Those who work in adult services are critical to the implementation of Think Family. Our research therefore focuses on practitioners’ experience of and attitudes towards working with families.
The report includes sections covering the following:
- the methodology and background to the research
- a brief introduction to family policy and the Think Family agenda
- the relevant literature, focusing on the views of practitioners undertaking family work within various settings.
- the findings from the practitioner focus groups – these provide the bulk of the evidence for the subsequent recommendations
- the response of our Service User Forum to the research findings, including their advice to practitioners
- a discussion of the findings, the service user views and the literature.
The report ends with a number of recommendations for future development. Focusing on these areas could help practitioners work effectively with families, improving services to adults with multiple needs and outcomes for their children and families.
The principles of Think Family could be carried out successfully with adults with multiple needs. Providers would need to give family work due consideration as a significant addition to their existing model of working. If carried out effectively by well-motivated, trained and supervised staff, family work could lead to positive outcomes for service users, their families and practitioners.
