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Effective engagement contributes to the development of a productive relationship between a practitioner, and the child and their family. Engagement is fundamental to working effectively in child wellbeing and child protection contexts as it can increase the likelihood of realising sustainable, positive change for a child and their family. It is important that children and families are involved in the decisions that will affect them, that their views and preferences are taken seriously and treated with respect. See Supported decision making is a human right
Initially, engagement occurs during the early stages of work with a child and their family, principally when a practitioner first makes contact and there is a commitment to work together. As a process, engagement involves the practitioner creating an environment that is conducive to the child and/or their family actively working to achieve change.
It is also important to maintain a relationship with the child and their family for the full duration of their involvement with the child wellbeing and child protection system.
Strategies that will enhance ongoing engagement include:
It is important to listen to children and families and understand their needs. If a family can understand the merit of a particular service for their unique circumstances, they may feel more willing to engage with the service. If they feel unsupported, stressed or threatened by the service, or cannot see its practical benefits, they are more likely to avoid participating.
Practitioners need to be vigilant and actively work with families to overcome barriers preventing them from engaging with the service. There can be a wide range of reasons why a family is not engaging with services. It is important to actively follow up and try to understand what these might be. This is especially important for work with Aboriginal families who may have concerns about working with government agencies and also for parents with disability.
07 May 2024