Social workers, youth workers, counsellors and mental health workers are increasingly taking up the challenge of supporting parents of troubled and troublesome adolescents, but often find that these parents become angry and despairing and refuse any more support. Richard Brook, a social worker with 20 years experience, offers workshops on how the caring professions can reach out to parents. He believes that the main reason parents reject advice and help is because they see the professional as an outsider who is telling them what to do. The workshops teach professionals how to fine-tune their communication with the parent so they are more able to accept help. In order to convey advice in a way that is more acceptable Brook suggests 5 key points: illuminate the problem; highlight strengths and resources; offer hope and optimism; give advice indirectly; and challenge gently. The article also discusses how parents need to adjust their parenting style as their child grows older, the importance of listening and understanding the children’s point of view, and also looks at the challenges facing teenagers in society today.
Social workers, youth workers, counsellors and mental health workers are increasingly taking up the challenge of supporting parents of troubled and troublesome adolescents, but often find that these parents become angry and despairing and refuse any more support. Richard Brook, a social worker with 20 years experience, offers workshops on how the caring professions can reach out to parents. He believes that the main reason parents reject advice and help is because they see the professional as an outsider who is telling them what to do. The workshops teach professionals how to fine-tune their communication with the parent so they are more able to accept help. In order to convey advice in a way that is more acceptable Brook suggests 5 key points: illuminate the problem; highlight strengths and resources; offer hope and optimism; give advice indirectly; and challenge gently. The article also discusses how parents need to adjust their parenting style as their child grows older, the importance of listening and understanding the children’s point of view, and also looks at the challenges facing teenagers in society today.
Subject terms:
involuntary clients, parental skills training, parents, social workers, social worker-service user relationships, communication, counselling;
The challenges and opportunities that the government policy of personalisation and self-directed support are bringing to social work are discussed. The continuing importance of social work is emphasised.
The challenges and opportunities that the government policy of personalisation and self-directed support are bringing to social work are discussed. The continuing importance of social work is emphasised.
Subject terms:
personalisation, professional role, self-directed support, social workers;
Learning Disability Today, 9(4), June 2009, pp.22-24.
Publisher:
Pavilion
Place of publication:
Hove
This article is about using parents of people with learning disabilities to support service improvement. A group called LD Caring Solutions, based in London, was set up to educate health and social care professionals about how to work with people with learning disabilities and their families. The group comprises 18 parents and meets once a month to share concerns, identify priorities, plan action and collaborative partnerships. Members have spoken at conferences, met with commissioners of services and engaged in policy and guidance development. The article concludes with comments from group members, professionals and plans for the future.
This article is about using parents of people with learning disabilities to support service improvement. A group called LD Caring Solutions, based in London, was set up to educate health and social care professionals about how to work with people with learning disabilities and their families. The group comprises 18 parents and meets once a month to share concerns, identify priorities, plan action and collaborative partnerships. Members have spoken at conferences, met with commissioners of services and engaged in policy and guidance development. The article concludes with comments from group members, professionals and plans for the future.
Subject terms:
interest groups, learning disabilities, needs, parents, social workers, user participation, user views, adults, children, families, health professionals;
Learning Disability Today, 9(1), February 2009, pp.26-27.
Publisher:
Pavilion
Place of publication:
Hove
Analyses the system failings that led to the death of James Hughes, who had profound learning disabilities and epilepsy, and his mother Heather Wardle. The author highlights the rationing of services, including social worker time, as one of the main the problems which led to a lack of care for James.
Analyses the system failings that led to the death of James Hughes, who had profound learning disabilities and epilepsy, and his mother Heather Wardle. The author highlights the rationing of services, including social worker time, as one of the main the problems which led to a lack of care for James.
Subject terms:
resource allocation, severe learning disabilities, social workers, community learning disabilities teams, death;
Bettercaring, the search directory for UK care homes, is launching a number of services designed to provide more information for people searching for residential care homes for adults with learning disabilities. Aimed at social workers and learning disability care managers, the Bettercaring Learning Disabilities Service Provider Handbook, co-published with Pavilion, provides a comprehensive
Bettercaring, the search directory for UK care homes, is launching a number of services designed to provide more information for people searching for residential care homes for adults with learning disabilities. Aimed at social workers and learning disability care managers, the Bettercaring Learning Disabilities Service Provider Handbook, co-published with Pavilion, provides a comprehensive listing of learning disability care homes and is a useful reference guide for professionals looking for learning disability homes throughout the country. In addition, a learning disability care home search engine based on the successful Bettercaring model will be launched to coincide with the publication of the handbook. This will enable professionals and members of the public to select the criteria, such as location and specific care, when searching for a home. Professionals will also benefit from the introduction of a vacancy alert service. This will provide regular updates on residential home vacancies and will allow social workers to search for vacancies, as well as giving them access to more information about the vacancies quickly and easily.
Subject terms:
residential care, social care provision, social workers, care homes;
The mental health of children and young people is of increasing concern to us all. This handbook introduces the subject to the wide array of frontline workers in health, education and social services who have regular contact with children and young people, and need some knowledge of the mental health issues that affect them, and the services available.
The mental health of children and young people is of increasing concern to us all. This handbook introduces the subject to the wide array of frontline workers in health, education and social services who have regular contact with children and young people, and need some knowledge of the mental health issues that affect them, and the services available.
Subject terms:
social services, social workers, child and adolescent mental health services, education, first line managers, health care;
The Disability Rights Commission recently conducted a formal investigation (FI) into the impact of fitness standards on disabled people studying, qualifying, registering and working in the public sector professions of nursing, social work and teaching. This article reports on the key findings of the FI, with specific reference to mental health issues in relation to the nursing and social work profession.
The Disability Rights Commission recently conducted a formal investigation (FI) into the impact of fitness standards on disabled people studying, qualifying, registering and working in the public sector professions of nursing, social work and teaching. This article reports on the key findings of the FI, with specific reference to mental health issues in relation to the nursing and social work profession.
Subject terms:
law, mental health problems, nurses, regulation, rights, social workers, anti-discriminatory practice, employment;
As part of a formal investigation into fitness to practise standards in the social work, nursing and teaching professions, the Disability Rights Commission commissioned qualitative research into the process and consequences of disclosing invisible disability in the workplace and training organisations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted individually with 60 practitioners and students. The study found barriers to disclosure were identified. Despite this, however, many professionals felt sufficiently empowered by disability legislation to disclose unseen disabilities in training and employment settings. Practitioners emphasised the need for supportive workplace cultures, but felt their expectations of support are not always met.
As part of a formal investigation into fitness to practise standards in the social work, nursing and teaching professions, the Disability Rights Commission commissioned qualitative research into the process and consequences of disclosing invisible disability in the workplace and training organisations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted individually with 60 practitioners and students. The study found barriers to disclosure were identified. Despite this, however, many professionals felt sufficiently empowered by disability legislation to disclose unseen disabilities in training and employment settings. Practitioners emphasised the need for supportive workplace cultures, but felt their expectations of support are not always met.
Subject terms:
long term conditions, nurses, social workers, student social workers, students, disabilities, disclosure;
Describes the work of the STR development group, based at Middlesex University, who are setting up a degree course for those who are interested in progressing their skills and qualifications to degree level in generic mental health work.
Describes the work of the STR development group, based at Middlesex University, who are setting up a degree course for those who are interested in progressing their skills and qualifications to degree level in generic mental health work.
Subject terms:
mental health, nurses, qualifications, social workers;
MCC Building Knowledge for Integrated Care, 10(6), December 2002, pp.9-14.
Publisher:
Pavilion
Examines what has been learnt about practice-academic partnership from two Research in Practice projects aimed at supporting the development of evidence-based practice in social care. Concludes that tangible support from organisations is needed to support both the partnership approach and the development of evidence-based practice.
Examines what has been learnt about practice-academic partnership from two Research in Practice projects aimed at supporting the development of evidence-based practice in social care. Concludes that tangible support from organisations is needed to support both the partnership approach and the development of evidence-based practice.
Subject terms:
joint working, organisations, social work methods, social workers, children, families, evidence-based practice;