Think Family Approach
The Think Family Approach is a holistic, whole-family model of practice that
recognises that the needs of children, parents and other family members are
interconnected. Rather than working with individuals in isolation, the approach
encourages professionals to consider the impact that one person's needs,
strengths or difficulties may have on the wider family system. Developed by the
UK Government in response to increasing recognition that fragmented services
often failed to meet families' complex needs, the Think Family Approach
promotes integrated, multi-agency working to improve outcomes for children and
adults simultaneously. Within social work, it underpins family-centred, strengths-
based and relationship-based practice by ensuring that practitioners consider the
needs of the whole family while maintaining a clear focus on safeguarding and
wellbeing (Cabinet Office & Department for Children, Schools and Families,
2007).
The Think Family Approach emerged from the Think Family Programme,
introduced by the UK Government in 2007. Research had demonstrated that
services frequently worked in isolation, with adult services focusing on parents
while children's services concentrated on children, often overlooking how
difficulties experienced by one family member affected others. For example, a
parent's mental illness, substance misuse or experience of domestic abuse could
significantly influence children's wellbeing, while children's additional needs
could increase pressure on parents and carers. The Think Family Approach was
therefore developed to improve coordination between agencies and provide
more effective, joined-up support.
A central principle of the Think Family Approach is that families function as
interconnected systems. Difficulties experienced by one individual rarely affect
only that person. Instead, family members influence one another emotionally,
socially and practically. Effective assessment therefore requires practitioners to
understand these relationships and interactions rather than focusing solely on
the presenting individual.
The approach also recognises that children's and adults' needs should not be
considered separately. Adult-focused practitioners are encouraged to ask:
Does this adult have children?
How might this issue affect parenting and children's wellbeing?
The Think Family Approach is a holistic, whole-family model of practice that
recognises that the needs of children, parents and other family members are
interconnected. Rather than working with individuals in isolation, the approach
encourages professionals to consider the impact that one person's needs,
strengths or difficulties may have on the wider family system. Developed by the
UK Government in response to increasing recognition that fragmented services
often failed to meet families' complex needs, the Think Family Approach
promotes integrated, multi-agency working to improve outcomes for children and
adults simultaneously. Within social work, it underpins family-centred, strengths-
based and relationship-based practice by ensuring that practitioners consider the
needs of the whole family while maintaining a clear focus on safeguarding and
wellbeing (Cabinet Office & Department for Children, Schools and Families,
2007).
The Think Family Approach emerged from the Think Family Programme,
introduced by the UK Government in 2007. Research had demonstrated that
services frequently worked in isolation, with adult services focusing on parents
while children's services concentrated on children, often overlooking how
difficulties experienced by one family member affected others. For example, a
parent's mental illness, substance misuse or experience of domestic abuse could
significantly influence children's wellbeing, while children's additional needs
could increase pressure on parents and carers. The Think Family Approach was
therefore developed to improve coordination between agencies and provide
more effective, joined-up support.
A central principle of the Think Family Approach is that families function as
interconnected systems. Difficulties experienced by one individual rarely affect
only that person. Instead, family members influence one another emotionally,
socially and practically. Effective assessment therefore requires practitioners to
understand these relationships and interactions rather than focusing solely on
the presenting individual.
The approach also recognises that children's and adults' needs should not be
considered separately. Adult-focused practitioners are encouraged to ask:
Does this adult have children?
How might this issue affect parenting and children's wellbeing?
