Engaging Families
It is important for professionals and volunteers to be aware of their
own values and judgments when working with families of offenders. The kit
has brief information and support tips for workers when working with families
of offenders. It is not an easy issue to talk about, particularly if the
working relationship is new and it is hard for the family to come
forward. It is not uncommon for workers to be unfamiliar with these
issues and this can also make the family feel excluded from the
services. Connecting with the family is the key ingredient. Important
strategies include:
- Make it clear to the family that you are supportive of them and
the issues they are facing;
- Separate your feelings about the crime from the experience of
the family;
- Seek secondary consultation with the Family Counsellor at VACRO;
- Take time to engage, develop trust through positive support
before entering difficult therapy;
- Learn about the media impact on the family - see Information
Sheet;
- Include correctional focused questions as part of your initial
assessment or intake form. E.g. Are you
supporting anyone in the correctional system? / Is you family
involved with the correctional system?
However make them aware that they are not required to
answer the questions to receive a services;
- Be transparent about the type of information you are collecting
and what it will be used for.
The following are some resources which provide guidance about how
best to engage families in this context:
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