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Practice what you preachThe importance of elastic bands

Margriet BraunGitta GriffioenIlse BoswinkelTamara Loohuis

FICE CongressBern, October 2013

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The importance of elastic bandsin The Netherlands

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The six principles of the Expedition

- Inclusion (commitment, connection)

- Strength based approach- Added value- Balance- Emergence- Congruency

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Family based ->Rule based -> Value based

Development of Dutch society

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ELASTIC BANDS TABLE What is helpful, what is not helpfulSubject Pulling backward/not helpful Pulling forward/helpful

Work Do what has to be done, act like a machine Do what contributes to your and other people’s life, be inspired

Awareness  Me

Unconscious of dynamics, patterns, your own space and effects Victim of change

Conscious of dynamics, patterns, your own space and effects Core of change

Problem-owner Mostly someone else, otherwise me We own the problem

Control From power/hierarchy by staff and management, focused on how

Dialogue based on mission, vision and principles, giving space to the how, control as interaction of customer's demand, teams and administrative framework

Decision From hierarchical responsibility 

From proximity in the implementation

Team Outside the team:-addressing an individual-giving an individual assignment-answering individual “How-questions”

Outside the team:-addressing a team-assignments are teamassignments-offering space to a team to answer the “How-question”

  Inside the team:-let matters be unspoken-doubts about intentions-focus on a shared “How”-thinking from an average/prevailing culture

Inside the team:-addressing each other on results-startingpoint of good intentions-focus on mission and vision-thinking from diversity

Threat Acting as a motivator Solving problems together

Results Are being forced 

Born out of trust, connection and direction

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How to reach the principles

• Dialogue

• Teams

• Incidents

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Before

• Many written and unwritten interfering rules - Among social workers- Towards youngsters in residential care

• System determines work processes

• Dependent of managers - Hesitant of responsibility- Strong need to be covered by senior members of

staff in organisation

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After

• Rules (legal) provide a framework, leaving ample room for the social worker him or herself

• Emphasis on participant involvement: client’s needs are the starting point. His or her questions determine the steps to be taken

• Appeal to own responsibility of social worker

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Example 1– Daycare for young children

Who is ‘in charge’

After: - Parents need to be more involved. - Dialogue with parents: what would they like, what would work.

Before:- Parents need to be more involved- Plan of action is written. Weekly activities. Parents should follow this plan.

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Example 1– Daycare for young children

Principles•Inclusion - connect with parents•Strength based – possibilities of parents

Value•Not the organization, but the client is leading

Elastic band: resultHelping: born out of connection and trustNot helping: results are forced

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Example 2 – Initial assessment

Procedure or clientBefore- Client enters youth services by an indication. Senior practitioner. Behavioral specialist diagnosis, back to senior practitioner. Social worker. First contact with client, based on schedule of worker

After- Client enters youth services by an indication. Client is assigned to senior practitioner, who gets into contact with client.

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Example 2 – Initial assessment

Principles•Inclusion - connect with parents•Creating opportunities for strength based approach and added value

Value•Client centered as opposed to process driven

Elastic band: workHelping: do what contributes to client´s lifeNot helping: do what has to be done

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Example 3 – Residential careResidential careBefore: general ‘agreements’ for all youngsters (10-16). Sign for it on entryOnce a week alone-time in room. After dinner: 45 minutes of rest. Breakfast at 8 o’clock, dressed and showered, dinner at 6. ‘These ain’t no agreements, these are rules’

After: Guidelines, tailored. Those who need to learn how to be on their own should get some alone-time each week. Different forms of being alone

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Example 3 – Residential care

Principle•Strength based

Value•Creating possibilities to add value

Elastic band: controlHelping: Dialogue based on mission and visionNot helping: power based, staff defines

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Example 4– Working routinesHome visit outside regular working hours, due to parental access agreements.After: Benefits are clear, social worker has ability to do this. It happens.

Before: Discussion in team about desirability of this procedure. Not all social workers are able to agree with such proposals. What does Collective Labour Agreement state about this?

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Example 4- Working routines

Principle•Emergent: go with the flow•Congruent

Value•Responding to clients wishes and needs

Elastic band: in the teamHelping:Thinking from diversity Helping: Focus on mission and visionNot helping: Thinking from a shared how

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Discussion

1. Are these examples familiar?

2. Do you recognize the change in approach?

3. Tips and trics