1.5.2 The Importance of the Children's Service Worker's Attitude

Because it is difficult to measure the impact of the Children’s Service Worker's attitude on the family, it is easy to underestimate its importance. The family's acceptance of services and overall cooperation often depends on the manner in which services are offered.

To maximize Division effectiveness, staff contact with families must convey respect and consideration. These professional attitudes must be evident at intake and permeate all phases of the Children’s Service Work process.

It is important to avoid using phrases and terminology that have been associated with hopelessness. Diagnostic terms are often vague and simplistic, rather than useful. Labels may tell us more about the person who applies them than about the family itself. The following principles are useful in cultivating and maintaining a therapeutic attitude:

All children and youth have great potential for development, given a healthy and stimulating environment;
No parent deliberately sets out to fail, whatever the outcome. There is probably no greater sense of failure than when one fails as a parent;
Family problems are "symptoms" of a dysfunctional family system and send legitimate messages on how family members attempt to cope;
Treatment emphasis is on coping, which is a continuous process, rather than on cure;
The Children’s Service Worker should approach family situations from a positive perspective. Don't ask "What is your problem?" but rather, "What do you hope for?";
It is important to be satisfied with small gains and to be persistent in the pursuit of those gains;
Enhancing family communication is important. What family members have to say to each other is probably more important than what we have to say to them; and
Intimacy and respect must go hand-in-hand. There is little room for either without clear and honest communication.

Chapter Memoranda History: (prior to 1/31/07)

CS03-51, CD05-35, CD05-77, CD06-07, CD06-12, CD06-16, CD06-32, CD06-50, CD06-57, CD06-69 , CD06-81