Working Systemically with Families

This session will explore how practitioners can work more effectively with families by adopting a multisystemic approach. It will focus on understanding the wider systems that influence a family’s circumstances including family relationships, peer groups, schools, communities and professional networks – and how these factors can impact engagement and outcomes.

Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on barriers that can make it difficult for families to engage with services and consider strategies for building stronger, more collaborative relationships. The workshop will emphasise the importance of understanding families within their wider context and working alongside them to identify and overcome challenges.

Drawing on principles from Multisystemic Therapy (MST), the session will share approaches used when working with parents and carers of adolescents. However, the learning will be relevant to all practitioners who work with children, young people, parents and carers, regardless of service area or role.