Building family connectedness - A new practice tool for social workers

Family connectedness is important for youth mental health and well-being. Social workers can help families build and maintain connections during adolescence. Evidence-based practice tools which approach youth well-being through a whole-of-family lens help legitimise social work’s person-in-environment approach to mental health. In this study, fifteen Australian social workers piloted a new practice tool to support family connectedness. The tool outlines key elements of family connectedness from the perspectives of young people and provides detailed examples to help understand and strengthen family connections. The social workers trialled the Family Connectedness Practice Tool for two months. Before the trial, participants were surveyed on which skills, theories and practice approaches they used to support family connectedness. After the trial, participants were surveyed on how they used the tool and how useful it was in their practice. The findings highlight the range of knowledge informing practice with children, youth and families. The tool was considered very useful by participants and helped with family connectedness education, assessment and intervention. The findings raise questions about how much young people’s perspectives are valued in practice and the challenges social workers face when using a whole-of-family approach.