Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gvvz8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T07:10:41.011Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Resourceful Friends: An Invaluable Dimension in Family Inclusive Child Protection Practice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2014

Ros Thorpe  and
Kim Ramsden
Ros Thorpe*
Affiliation:
Family Inclusion Network Queensland (Townsville) Inc. and James Cook University, School of Arts and Social Sciences, Queensland, Australia
Kim Ramsden
Affiliation:
Family Inclusion Network Queensland (Townsville) Inc. and James Cook University, School of Arts and Social Sciences, Queensland, Australia
*
address for correspondence: Rosamund Thorpe, 23 Townsville Street, West End, Townsville Qld 4810. E-mail: Rosamund.Thorpe@jcu.edu.au
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

In this article we illuminate the ‘resourceful friends’ model of community social work as it has been applied in current work in the Family Inclusion Network (FIN) in Townsville, Queensland. Reflections from both parents and supporting members of FIN illustrate its very successful use in this context. This way of working is assessed, particularly in relation to its place in affording an invaluable dimension in family inclusive child protection processes. In conclusion, the contribution to building social capital and promoting greater social justice is identified.

Keywords

family inclusion in child protection practicenon-judgementalism in social workprofessional boundaries in social workrelationship-based social work practiceservice users and social workerscommunity work and collective action
Type
Special Section: Moving beyond protection: Inclusiveness and families
Information
Children Australia , Volume 39 , Issue 2 , June 2014 , pp. 65 - 73
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

AASW. (2010). Code of ethics. Canberra: Australian Association of Social Workers.Google Scholar
Arnstein, S. (1969). A ladder of citizen participation. Journal of the American Institute of Planners, 35, 216–224.Google Scholar
Banks, S. (2011). Community development work and collective action. In Lavalette, M. (Ed.), Radical social work today: Social work at the crossroads (pp. 165–185). Bristol: Policy Press.Google Scholar
Biestek, F. P. (1957). The casework relationship. Chicago: Loyola University Press.Google Scholar
Beresford, P. (2011). Radical social work and service users: a crucial connection. In Lavalette, M. (Ed.), Radical social work today: Social work at the crossroads (pp. 95–114). Bristol: Policy Press.Google Scholar
Bruce, L. (2013). Reflective practice for social workers. A handbook for developing professional confidence. Maidenhead, UK: Open University Press.Google Scholar
Bunting, M. (2011). Tough love for troubled families. The Guardian, 9 February.Google Scholar
Cottam, H. (2011). Relational welfare. Soundings, 48, 134–144.Google Scholar
Featherstone, B., White, S., & Morris, K. (2014). Re-imagining child protection: Towards humane social work with families. Bristol: Policy Press.Google Scholar
Ferguson, I. & Woodward, F. (2009). Radical social work in practice: Making a difference. Bristol: Policy Press.Google Scholar
FIN Townsville. (2013). Family inclusion matters. FIN Townsville Newsletter No. 2, July.Google Scholar
Flexman, R., Berke, D. L., & Settles, B. H. (1999). Negotiating family: The interface between family and support groups. Marriage and Family Review, 28, 173–190.Google Scholar
Gaita, R. (2011). After Romulus. Melbourne: The Text Publishing Company.Google Scholar
Ghate, D., & Neal, H. (2002). Parenting in poor environments: stress, support and coping. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.Google Scholar
Herman, J. (1997). Trauma and recovery. The aftermath of violence from domestic abuse to political terror. New York: Basic Books.Google Scholar
Holman, B. (1983). Resourceful friends: Skills in community social work. London: The Children's Society.Google Scholar
Holman, B. (1997). Fare dealing: Neighbourhood involvement in a housing scheme. London: Community Development Foundation.Google Scholar
HREOC. (1997). Bringing them home. Report of the National Inquiry into the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. Canberra: Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.Google Scholar
Ife, J. (2013). Community development in an uncertain world: Vision, analysis and practice. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Jones, C. (2009). Through a glass darkly: A journey of love and grief with my father. Sydney: ABC Books.Google Scholar
Laken, B. (1984). More than a friend. Tring, Herts, England: Lion Publishing.Google Scholar
Lavalette, M. (2011). Radical social work today: Social work at the crossroads. Bristol: Policy Press.Google Scholar
Lavalette, M., & Loakimidis, V. (2011). International social work or social work internationalism? Radical social work in global perspective. In Lavalette, M. (Ed.), Radical social work today: social work at the crossroads (pp. 135–151). Bristol: Policy Press.Google Scholar
Lord, J., & Hutchison, P. (1993). The process of empowerment: Implications for theory and practice. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 12, 5–22.Google Scholar
Lovatt, H. (2013). Unravelling foster care and finding family support. PhD thesis, James Cook University, in preparationGoogle Scholar
Mason, J. (2007). A children's standpoint: Needs in out-of-home care. Children and Society, 22, 358–369.Google Scholar
McArthur, M., Thomson, L., Winkworth, G., & Butler, K. (2010). Families’ experiences of services. Occasional Paper No. 30. Canberra, ACT: Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.Google Scholar
Morely, L., & Ife, J. (2002). Social work and a love of humanity. Australian Social Work, 55, 69–77.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Muller, L., & Gair, S. (2013). Respecting knowledge: circular movement in teacher/learner roles to advance indigenous social work education and practice. In C. Noble, M. Henrickson & I. Y. Han (Eds.), Social work education: Voices from the Asia/Pacific (pp. 29–53). Sydney: Sydney University Press.Google Scholar
Neil, E., & Howe, D. (2004). Contact in adoption and permanent foster care: Research, theory and practice. London: BAAF.Google Scholar
O’Leary, P., Tsui, M.-S., & Ruch, G. (2013). The boundaries of the social work relationship revisited: Towards an inclusive, connective and dynamic conceptualisation. British Journal of Social Work, 43 (1), 135–153 (advance access).Google Scholar
QCOSS. (2013). Respond holistically to client issues: Strategies for motivating, supporting and encouraging the client. Community Services On-line training, Queensland Council of Social Services. Retrieved from http://legacy.communitydoor.org.au/resources/etraining/units/chccs402a/section3/section3topic03.html (accessed 13 February 2014).Google Scholar
Robinson, D. (2010). Out of the ordinary: Learning from the community links approach to social regeneration. London: Community Links.Google Scholar
Roos, S. (2002). Chronic sorrow: A living loss. New York: Brunner-Routledge.Google Scholar
Sennett, R. (2003). Respect: The formation of character in an age of inequality. London: Allen Lane, The Penguin Press.Google Scholar
Thomson, J. (2000). Practice responses with women in poverty: the value of trained- in-life workers. In Weeks, W. & Quinn, M. (Eds.), Issues facing Australian families (pp. 165–172). Melbourne: Pearson Australia.Google Scholar