Think Family
Section 1: What is a Think Family Approach?
Think Family means everyone involved thinking about the whole family when they are working to understand the needs and risks for children, young people, and adults at risk. It is about all family members and carers, those who do and don’t live within the household, being invited to contribute to ensure there is an understanding of each person’s needs and how they interact with one another. Further, support and services should be coordinated from all organisations, and importantly bringing together the support that the family can provide within its own network. In this work, it is important to have a flexible definition of what “family” is, and an understanding of what “family” means to an individual; recognising that family means different things to different people. It is also about taking decisive action when children or adults need protection from harm.
Think Family means:
- Recognising that change starts with all members of the family as a whole,
- Professionals being curious to understand the whole family and their support networks,
- Understanding family dynamics and how individuals interact with one another, recognising that where there is abuse within the family, there can be complex responses for both the perpetrators and victims,
- Recognising the needs, wishes and strengths of every family member, and how each can contribute to meet needs and reduce risks within the family,
- Organisations working together, in a co-ordinated way, to respond to a family or individuals’ complex needs.
The 2023 Independent Report to Consider Families Experiences in Herefordshire, Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews, Safeguarding Adult Reviews, and Domestic Homicide Reviews, have identified a need to strengthen multi-agency responses to individuals and families. It is therefore essential we adopt a “Think Family” approach as a partnership.
In response to these reports and feedback from parents, the Herefordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership, Safeguarding Adults Board, and Community Safety Partnership, are committed to promoting a Think Family Approach across organisations that work with children, young people, families, and adults who may be at risk in Herefordshire.
What did parents and carers tell us that we can learn from?
The quotes below are paraphrased for clarity
“Better information sharing and coordination between organisations would make a huge difference.”
“I was in an abusive relationship and my ex-partner used the meetings to continue to try and control me and my children. Although he seemed more “stable” than me, professionals needed to understand that I needed time to recover.”
“There were meetings happening that we were not invited to. Sometimes we would not even be told what was discussed. This needs to stop. We know best about our family and have a lot to contribute.”
“When I had support from adult social care, it was brilliant. The social worker visited a few times and gave me a report after every visit. They explained exactly what was happening and spoke with other organisations to put a plan in place.”
“Constant turn-over of workers meant that information was lost and I never knew what to expect.”
“My advocate’s role was not understood or respected when we had meetings with other professionals. All professionals’ expertise should be treated equally.”
“I had a really good experience with support from Early Help – the worker visited regularly, offered gentle advice, helped me and my children to access useful services, and worked at my family’s pace.”
“The opportunity to be the “lead” on your own plan is fantastic – this should happen more.”
Working Together 2023: Principles for working with parents and carers
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) states that “In the context of a child-centred approach, all practitioners should work in partnership with parents and carers as far as possible. Parents and carers need to understand what is happening, what they can expect from the help and support provided, what is expected of them and be supported to say what they think.”
The four principles underpinning work with parents and carers, which all practitioners should apply in their practice, are:
- Effective partnership working with parents and carers happens when practitioners build strong, positive, trusting, and co-operative relationships,
- Verbal and non-verbal communication should be respectful, non-blaming, clear, inclusive, and adapted to parents and carers needs,
- Practitioners empower parents and carers to participate in decision-making to help, support and protect children,
- Practitioners involve parents, carers, families, and local communities in designing processes that affect them, including those focused on safeguarding children.
Key Legislation
Key national and local legislation and guidance that promotes Think Family, which all professionals should be aware of:
- Care Act 2014
- Children’s Act 1989
- Working Together 2023
- Mental Capacity Act 2005
- Private Fostering Regulations (2005)
- Domestic Abuse Act 2021
- Modern Slavery 2015
- Prevent Duty
Go to the next section > Think Family – Section 2: Practitioner and Organisational Checklists