BUSHkids 2016-17 Annual Report

DSS

The Common Approach

The Common Approach is a unique child protection initiative provided by the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) About the Common Approach

Guiding principles The aim of the Common Approach is to identify familial strengths and concerns early and to link children and families to useful supports. The Common Approach aims to be one way of keeping children safe and helping prevent child abuse and neglect. The Common Approach is based upon four evidence-based practices: being child-centred; focusing on strengths; thinking holistically; and working in partnerships with families. • Child-centred : an important starting point is putting the child’s wellbeing at the centre of all considerations. • Strengths-based : a strengths-based approach builds on the strengths of families to help them address their areas of need, and the conversation becomes empowering by not simply highlighting problems. •Thinking holistically : holistic practice is grounded in the ecological model of child development (Brofenbrenner) which shows children’s lives have multiple dimensions and systems. • Working in partnership : it’s vital to work in partnership with young people, families, colleagues and other service professionals

The Common Approach is a flexible framework to help professionals have a quality conversation with a child, young person, or family about all aspects of their wellbeing, including those outside the professional’s usual area of work. The approach is based on Protecting Children is Everyone’s Business: National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009 – 2020 , which asserts that the wellbeing of children and prevention of child abuse and neglect is everyone’s responsibility, and the approach seeks to improve child, youth and family wellbeing outcomes through early intervention and prevention. The Common Approach aims to support children and young people at a universal, preventative level, and to be accessible to everyone who interacts with children and families. It is designed to be adaptable to a wide range of situations, but also to provide a common language and approach which can support collaboration across the sectors. The Common Approach is not an assessment tool nor is it a diagnostic tool. Information gathered within the conversation may be useful to contribute to a multidisciplinary formulation.

Introduction of the Common Approach as Standard Practice for FHSWs All BUSHkids Family Health Support Workers have been trained in how to facilitate a Common Approach conversation with families using the Wellbeing Wheel and other Common Approach resources. FHSWs are now routinely using this approach with families to establish a holistic picture of a child’s and family’s psychosocial situation, and of their strengths, needs and next steps, prior to determining the most appropriate course of action to recom- mend to the family. Anecdotal evidence tells us that the FHSWs are finding value in having access to a structured approach to use in their early conversations with families, and are also using the approach to add value to Case Management Meeting discussions and multidisciplinary case planning. BUSHkids therapy staff have also had the opportunity to hear about the approach through a Lunch Box Learning session held in September 2017.

Representing the diverse range of professional disciplines across the ranks of BUSHkids’ teams are (left to right): Trudy McDonald, MarianneTaylor, Jo Horigan, Sue Clarke, Joanne McKinnon and Lou Keevers

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