IFSO: Philosophy & Approach

PHILOSOPHY

The philosophical framework of IFSO is based on a number of principles:

IFSO utilises a systems perspective in which the family is not seen in isolation but as part of a wider network of systems, eg. extended family, friends, local community, and services. The behaviour of each family member is seen as being influenced by, and influencing, the behaviour of other members of the family. Interventions focus on the needs of the whole family rather than on the disability of the child and on achieving and maintaining the emotional well being of all family members.

The intensive family support components of the model draws on the Intensive Family Based Service models (Durrant, 1993; Berg, 1994) used extensively in the USA and in Australia. These programs, developed primarily for the child welfare sector, based their model of services on the philosophy that the best way to ensure children's safety and wellbeing was to support and strengthen the child's family, and that by doing so many placements were preventable. This is a shift from a focus that was solely on the child and the disability, to include the needs and aspirations of the family.

To address the particular needs of families with children with disabilities, a Solution-Focused Brief Therapy approach is utilised (Berg, 1994; Cade & O'Hanlon, 1993; Miller, Hubble & Duncan, 1996). This competency based approach rests on the assumption that families can be the experts about their own life and assists families develop a future focus based on goals and strengths they have identified, rather than a past focus which rests on the history of trauma, loss or disability.

Taking these principles, the philosophy of IFSO is based on:

Recognition that young children are uniquely dependent on the continuity of family/caregivers for nurture and survival.
Recognition that children with a disability need the same love, affection, care and stimulation as any other child to maximise their growth and development.
Recognition that separation of a child from a family is potentially damaging to the child and the family.
Recognition that the child's safety and well being is the primary concern.
Respect for family/caregivers strength and competency to find solutions to their problems and to make changes that help their family.
Recognition of the diversity of family beliefs, values, structures, attitudes and coping styles.
Respect for racial, ethnic and cultural diversity of families.
Recognition that families with a child with a disability are entitled to access a range of services that meet the identified needs of all family members and that assist the family to care for their child at home.

APPROACH

The approach is a two tiered service model:

An intensive model of support provided by a family therapist, working mostly in people's homes, and focusing on family goals and steps that families feel will make a difference. Some of this may include practical support.
A second tier of brokerage of other less intensive services so that families can maintain an acceptable level of functioning. Through flexible packaging, IFSO can buy or initiate other practical options eg. housekeeping, child minding, social activities and family support groups.
The model aims to assist families to care for their child with a disability within the family home and thereby reduce the likelihood of permanent out of home placement.

IFSO offers to:

Provide a range of formal and informal services to the family from a solution focused framework including:
- individual, couple and family therapy

behavioural intervention
development of community support and recreational networks
practical and material assistance
supporting agencies in their work with families.

Enhance family member's knowledge, skills and access to resources.
Assist family members identify priorities for themselves and for their family as a whole.
Facilitate a family's sense of competence and ability to find their own solutions to meet their needs.
Provide professional, emotional and practical support to staff working in the program.

References
Berg, I. K., (1994). Family Based Services: A Solution-Focused Approach. W. W. Norton, New York.
Cade, B & O'Hanlon, W. (1993). A Brief Guide to Brief Therapy. W.W. Norton, New York.
Durrant, M., (1993). Family Preservation: More Than Homebuilders? NSW Family Therapy
Association Newsletter, December.
Miller, S.O., Hubble, M.A., Duncan, B.L., (1996) Handbook of Solution-Focussed Brief Therapy.
Jossey - Bass Publishers San Francisco.
Scott, D. & O'Neil, D., (1996). Beyond Child Rescue: Developing Family-Centred Practice at St
Luke's. Allen and Unwin, St Leonards.