ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the background to the Collaborative Family Work model and provides a summary of each of the steps in the model. Prior to beginning work with the family group, the worker discusses with the family members the nature of the family work and the role of both the workers and the family members in the process. Family counselling sessions may be held in the worker’s office or in the family’s home. The model makes use of family functioning rating scales and problem rating scales. Mapping the scales over the weeks of the family work can show workers and clients that progress is being made from week to week, and can show family members how they have progressed during the period of the intervention. The workers can then ask the family members to identify where they would like to be on the rating scale in, say, four weeks after working on the issue in the family work sessions.
