Collaborative family problem solving is a brief problem solving family intervention model, involving six to ten sessions with at least two family members. It involves working through the steps of setting ground rules, identifying family issues or problems, setting goals and developing strategies to address those goals. The model is outlined in Working with Involuntary Clients by Chris Trotter (Allen & Unwin, 2006).
When can it be used?
The model is suitable for work with families in a range of settings for example with young offenders, in child protection, in school welfare or with young people using drugs. It is suitable in most situations where there is family conflict.
Advantages of the Model
1. The model has been specifically developed for work with involuntary clients in criminal justice and welfare settings.
2. It is based on research about what works and includes the key effective practice principles of role clarification, pro-social modelling and reinforcement and collaborative problem solving.
3. It has been and continues to be used with success with young offenders and their families and other involuntary clients in several Australian situations and in a number of places in the UK.
4. Families respond to the model with 95 percent of families in the Australian studies completing a minimum of six sessions.
5. The model builds on the skills which workers already possess and it can be learnt relatively quickly by experienced workers. Three days of training are sufficient to skill experienced workers in the model.The model can be seen as an addition to the repertoire of skills of case managers and it can be readily carried out without specialist family therapy training.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the three days training it is anticipated that participants
1. Will have developed an understanding of each of the steps of Collaborative Family Work model
2. Will have the knowledge and confidence to carry out a series of collaborative family work sessions with a family group
3. Will have an increased understanding of when it is appropriate to work with the family group
Innovative Minds has an exclusive agreement with Dr Trotter to deliver Collaborative Family problem solving workshops and quality assurance in Australia.