Solihull Approach
The Solihull Approach is a model of assessment and intervention that combines three elements: containment, reciprocity and behaviour management.
- Containment is a process that fosters an emotional space for the client allowing them to tell their story, but at the same time is emotionally "held" by the therapist. This process restores the capacity to think, which in turn helps the client formulate their own solutions to the problems presented.
- Reciprocity describes the process whereby the parent is sensitive to the needs and feelings of the child and the child responds to the parents, in a two-way flow of communication. Reciprocity is both modelled by the therapist and observed/assessed in the family. The therapist can use these observations to guide the family when offering behavioural advice.
- Behaviour management is only used once containment and reciprocity processes have been explored and is a joint undertaking between therapist and family. Further information about the Solihull Approach can be found on the Common Assessment Framework webpage: See Related Pages below.
FAST
Brief interventions as short as five minutes have been shown to be effective in reducing alcohol consumption with Primary Care Settings (Poikolainen, 1999; Wilk et al., 1997).
If alcohol misuse could be identified in less than 15 seconds, on average, then screening leading to a brief intervention is more likely to be a routine component for medical, mental health and social services. (Manual for Fast Alcohol Screening Test (FAST) Health Development Agency and University of Wales College of Medicine).
Child and Family Training
A not-for-profit organisation which provides training on evidence-based approaches for assessing children and their families.
The Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills funded the organisation to develop a range of evidence-based assessment tools with associated training programmes to assist practitioners and clinicians using the Assessment Framework and now the Common Assessment Framework.
The assessment tools and training courses are designed for the professionals in health, social care, education, the police and voluntary organisations who work with children and families (see Related links below).
The Parent Assessment Manual
The Parent Assessment Manual (PAM) is a comprehensive, assessment tool for use with vulnerable families, including parents with learning disabilities.
Based on the Parental Knowledge-Skills-Practice Model the PAM provides professionals with a structured and practical approach to the assessment of parents and their children (0-19 years).
Within Northamptonshire, the Teenage Parent Support Team (TPST) are trained to utilise the tool for the benefit other Children's Services practitioners.
For more information contact TPST Manager Heather Frick on 01933 231050 or hfrick@northamptonshire.gov.uk
Related Pages