Solution focused therapy – the journey

SOLUTION FOCUSED

THERAPY – THE JOURNEYESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL – SCHOOLS CHILDREN

AND FAMILY DIVISIONAL BASED INTERVENTION

TEAM (D-BIT)

Marva Furlongue-Laver MSW

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Everything has a small beginning Mistakes are the portals of discovery Cicero James Joyce

I’m going to start this story by saying something

about myself and where I work. I think it is

significant that I, the story-teller, present myself for

the simple reason that I, together with the choices I

made will help in how the story is told, I am an

active agent in the story itself.

My name is Marva Furlongue-Laver, I am an

American Ex-Pat who works for Essex County

Council as a Team Manager in a Secondary

Children Social Care Team.

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FAMILIES

EXPERTS OF THEIR LIVES

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OUR JOURNEY IN OVERVIEW

Jan/Feb2012Jan-Mar 2013

Permanent Service

Enthusiasm

June/July 2012 Nov 2012

Uncertainty Questions Asked

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LESSONS LEARNED FROM

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF

THE MODEL DEVELOPMENT OF THE SERVICE

(The Beginning)-

Reflection evoked the following Thoughts:-

How was the decision made methodology of

intervention

Was there consultation with academia to

provide guidance/advice as to the efficacy

of the chosen method

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DEVELOPMENT OF THE SERVICE (The

Beginning)-

The need for a model of fidelity and

a way to monitor compliance to the

delivery of the model

What evaluative tools we will need

to measure our implementation/use

of the model and the effectiveness

of our approach.

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DEVELOPMENT OF THE SERVICE (The

Beginning)-

Family Engagement –

Inclusion of families in all aspect of

decision making

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DEVELOPMENT OF THE SERVICE (The

Beginning)-

Important Ethos:

A golden thread being fed through from

the highest level in the organisation to

the lowest rung

Grow the knowledge/expertise

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DEVELOPMENT OF THE SERVICE (The

Implementation)-

The incorporation of different Methodology/model

The need for documentation skills that are Solution oriented/focus

The use of S.F. when implemented:- a shift in the family's perception of themselves

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DEVELOPMENT OF THE SERVICE (The

Implementation)-

The need for an instrument /methodology

to help teams/practitioner:-

assess along the way the impact of small

changes on the family functioning

effectiveness of their intervention and a

guide for further improvement

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DEVELOPMENT OF THE SERVICE (The

Implementation)-

KEYS:

Practitioners belief/expectation in

reference to the efficacy of the model

Workers need for background information

about Solution Focus

Solution Focus Reflective supervision for

Practitioner

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DEVELOPMENT OF THE SERVICE

(Reflection)

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Solution Focussed Local Authority

Solution focussed Problem Focussed

Strengths Deficits

Future Focussed Past Focussed

No recording of sessions Mandatory recording of sessions

Need to find alternative ways of

working

Resistant Family

Client as expert Worker as expert

Seeking to find exceptions Seeking to find repeated incidents

Listening Telling

Client led Legislation led

Externalise the problem (the problem

is the problem)

Internalise the problem (the person is

the problem)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE SERVICE (The

Implementation)-

WORKERS:

Skills Application

Worker flexibility

New Talk

Understanding of Theoretical concepts

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DEVELOPMENT OF THE SERVICE (The

Implementation)-

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Collaboration with universities

Greater use of technology

Support for practitioners using the model

Establishment- Continuation of the Service

Road Map for the practitioner

Fidelity to the Solution Focus Therapy

model

Workers growth as Solution Oriented

practitioners and leaders

Consistency in delivery of the service

Powerful outcomes for families

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Establishment- Continuation of the Service

Establishment of Identity

Team work makes the dream works

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