ABSTRACT

The Solution Focused Approach with Children and Young People: Current Thinking and Practice brings together leading figures and innovative practitioners from different professions, contexts and countries to provide a unique overview of Solution Focused work with children and young people. Presenting a range of applications in individual, group and community work, it puts the spotlight on diverse fields, exploring how the Solution Focused approach can work in real-world contexts.

This book showcases a powerful, engaging approach which helps children and young people find the resources and strengths to manage difficulties and make the most of their lives. It contains interesting case studies, narrative descriptions of original practice, programmes of work developed using Solution Focused principles, and thought-provoking discussions of key elements of practice. With chapters presenting perspectives from coaching, therapy, consultancy and education, and applications including learning assessments, child protection, bereavement, edge of care, and youth offending, the book provides an overview of the current state of practice and provides pointers to potential new developments.

The Solution Focused Approach with Children and Young People will help both experienced practitioners and those new to the approach to develop and update their knowledge and skills, as well as introducing them to creative and cutting-edge tools to inspire fresh ideas and thinking. It will be essential reading for Solution Focused practitioners and students, as well as coaches, social workers, school counsellors and mental health professionals working with children and young people.

chapter Chapter 1|7 pages

Introduction

chapter Chapter 2|7 pages

There’s more to children than meets the eye

chapter Chapter 3|7 pages

Solution Focused play therapy

chapter Chapter 4|6 pages

Voice and choice

The vulnerable child and the Solution Focused process

chapter Chapter 6|8 pages

From challenging to outstanding

chapter Chapter 8|5 pages

The butterfly effect

chapter Chapter 10|11 pages

Solution Focused practices in the assessment of learning problems

Panning for gold

chapter Chapter 11|7 pages

A Solution Focused team conversation

Helping educators create lasting solutions with students

chapter Chapter 13|8 pages

Dream … believe … achieve

A school in South Africa that has developed a philosophy based on Solution Focused principles

chapter Chapter 16|8 pages

Solution Focused “injections”

Solution Focused working in acute paediatric settings

chapter Chapter 18|7 pages

Trusting the child

Using the Solution Focused approach with children and young people on the edge of care

chapter Chapter 19|10 pages

Facing new challenges using a Solution Focused approach

Creating a supportive learning process for Roma adolescents in a volunteering project in Hungary

chapter Chapter 20|9 pages

Figuring Futures

The art of reframing challenges

chapter Chapter 21|7 pages

Solution Focused work in high-risk child protection cases

How the Solution Focused mindset and creativity helped put the children in the centre of the work and create possibility for change

chapter Chapter 22|6 pages

Yes … and

Useful conversations around trauma

chapter Chapter 24|8 pages

A tiny little piece of hope

Accompanying parentally bereaved children and adolescents in their journey through parental terminal illness, grief and healing via a Solution Focused pathway

chapter Chapter 25|15 pages

High-conflict divorce and parenting

How Solution Focused presence can help

chapter Chapter 26|9 pages

Spreading kindness

The alchemy of translation