and reach thousands of daily visitors
15 AUGUST 2008
NO 1334
Family support
In Ireland, and internationally, there is a growing debate that suggests that family support work is not about replacing natural support, but using formal sources to enhance informal networks (Gilligan, 2000; Helllinckx et al., 1997). In terms of the actual support they receive, most of the support parents access is from extended family and friends and not from professionals services (Dolan, 2000; McKeown, 2001). Support for a parent experiencing difficulty in child rearing could best come from another parent who has successfully gone through similar parenting difficulties. and the Community Mothers Programme is but one example of the natural help approach in the formal helping context (O'Connor, 2001).
In the context of both the ERHA and WHB case studies, service users perceived themselves as generally accessing support from natural network membership rather than professionals. Importantly, service users who participated in both studies and who received services provided in universal and targeted format were at one regarding how support should be delivered, despite any vagueness regarding what exactly they see family support as. In summary, their advice as evidenced in this paper makes clear reading for professionals:
Family support must be provided in the same way whether through universal or targeted services.
The success of interventions is in part dependent on the worker-client relationship.
The timing of the intervention in family support is crucial.
At all costs, stigmatisation of families must be avoided and professionals must remain cognisant of this issue at all times.
The potential of non-directive interventions with families should not be underestimated.
Finally, in an Irish context, it could be suggested that Family Support is at long last on the 'social policy map'. It remains to be seen whether this map is used and if policy is matched by the further development of prevention and early intervention Family Support services.
PAT DOLAN AND STEPHANIE
HOLT
Dolan, Pat and Holt,
Stephanie. (2002). What families want in family support: An Irish case
study. Child Care in Practice, 8, 4.
pp. 248-249.
REFERENCES
Dolan, P. (2000). Mobilising social support in counselling relationships, a case for consideration? Eisteach, Journal of Counselling and Therapy, April. pp. 6-10.
Gilligan, R. (2000). Family support issues and prospects. In Canavan, J.; Dolan, P. and Pinkerton, J. (Eds.). Family Support: Direction from Diversity. London. Jessica Kingsley.
Hellinckx, W.; Colton, M. and Williams, M. (1997). International Perspectives on Family Support. Aldershot. Arena.
McKeown, K. (2001). Springboard: Promoting Family Well-being Through Family Support Services. Dublin. Government Publications.
O'Connor, P. (2001). Supporting mothers: Issues in a
community mothers programme. Journal of Community Work and Family, 4,
1. pp. 63-85.
