Working With Highly Resistant Families

3270 Words14 Pages
Date: 15th December, 2011 Working with Children, Families and Carers The purpose of this assignment is to critically discuss the system surrounding resistant families and how social work practice has been evolved to cope with the barriers faced by social workers and other professionals in every day practice with resistant families. The assignment will try to navigate the reader through many different skills developed, social work theories, policy and legislation guidelines and finally, this assignment will try to overview the actions which could be taken throughout an intervention with a resistant family. The main area of focus will reflect upon the document Effective practice to protect children living in ‘highly resistant’ families. (C4EO, 2010). It is essential that the term 'Highly Resistant' is defined at this stage as it will give the reader an understanding of its true meaning to professionals involved with working with this group. The term 'Highly Resistant' is defined by C4EO as: 'Families who do not engage or cooperate with services to protect children at risk of harm, including those who may appear outwardly compliant and families who do not demonstrate positive change despite intervention and support from child protection services'. This term offered is crucial when dealing with a family who may show signs of being a 'resistant' family as this can often lead to more severe and potential problems regarding the safety of the child(ren) as the social worker involved may feel that the lack of engagement and hostility shown towards them is effecting their practice. Example, they may fail to carry out follow up assessments which could leave the child at risk of serious harm. (C4EO, 2010). Gaining experience will allow the social worker to develop a repertoire of skills which enable them to work effectively with 'highly resistant'
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