Family support services delivered using a restorative approach: A framework for relationship and strengths-based whole-family practice

Abstract

Family support services, an integral part of many welfare systems across the developed world, have witnessed a growing demand for the use of relationship and strengths-based whole-family approaches in the belief that this increases service engagement and effect. Despite this, knowledge that delivering services using such approaches can be challenging and calls for the identification and exploration of methods likely to promote and sustain their use. Restorative approach is an ethos and method centred on building and sustaining positive relationships, which is increasingly being adopted in family and children's services in the United Kingdom. Despite this, the scarcity of research conducted in this area as yet, means little is known of its use and effect in this context. This article draws on empirical data collected in a wider study exploring the efficacy of different family service delivery models to describe the use of restorative approach in family service provision and determine whether its adoption promotes sustained use of strengths and relationship-based whole-family approaches when working with families. Furthermore, it explores whether the process incorporates wider evidence-based methods of change.