Systemic social work is a way of responding to family problems by recognising that we are all part of complex systems. It is within the behaviours, relationships and environments of these complex systems that problems are created and maintained.
Working systemically, means that we try to understand patterns of behaviours and relationships within families, the ways people think, as well as the contexts and environments in which people live; as ways to help us make sense of the problems that are presented to us.
Right social work service for every family
Families are diverse and require a unique, flexible and responsive approach to their problems which is informed by highly skilled professionals from multi- disciplinary background using best evidence but most importantly by family views and experiences.
An ethical, humane approach to child protection
Protecting the safety of children, promoting their well-being and providing loving homes is best understood by the parent’s and families of children. We will always hold that view with high regard and respect, no matter whether social work involvement is high authority intervention or preventative work.
Always a systemic approach
Children, families and organisations do not operate in a vacuum. The relational aspect of our work is privileged, and we will always consider the wider contexts in our assessments and offer of help.
We never talk about severance
In a minority of cases children are unable to be safely cared for by their parents. CSCFS will never recommend severance and will always develop a permanence plan which meaningfully involves birth families.
The social work relationship is the cornerstone
We believe that the social work relationship can be an instrument of family change and growth, as such trust and stability are vital.
Our programmes support our principles
Our Students will develop awareness of the contextual and ethical dilemmas embedded in social care work including engagement and goal setting with non-voluntary clients, where power imbalances between professionals and clients are significant.
Teaching Space
Training and development is delivered via formal, academic training programmes, bespoke programmes for organisations, short courses, informal consultation, practice skills workshops and group and individual coaching.
Collective Space offers training programmes to social workers at all stages of their systemic social work development journey; from having had no prior knowledge of systemic social work practice and looking to be introduced to these ideas, through to social workers/ clinicians who have completed their intermediate training and are practising as systemic practitioners.
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Learning Space
Collective Space learners can access all their course materials including a carefully selected range of seminal systemic writings and contemporary research which will support the taught programmes.
Collective Space is passionate about the training and education of systemic social work. We aim to offer an excellent learning experience via tutors knowledgable and experienced in using systemic practice within Children’s Social Work and creating a climate in which learners feel inspired and comfortable to develop their own skills for practice.
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Clinical Space
Clinical work can be commissioned as individual pieces of work or as part of the organisation’s approach to the offer of help to families and to its staff via approaches such as clinical surgeries.
Collective Space is committed to developing practice based evidence and demonstrating how systemic social work makes a difference. We have a highly experienced pool of practitioners with a broad range of skills and qualifications who can offer bespoke clinical interventions including specialist assessments and therapeutic interventions.
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Just great. I came straight back into work the following day and used the learning directly.
(The trainers are)… fab just the way they are. They are fun, interesting, informative, full of knowledge. I hope to be able to speak of systemic therapy with as much knowledge and clarity one day.
Amazing session- so informative, learnt lots which I know will be really useful for practice and placement
Absolutely wonderful. This will help to challenge families effectively and respectfully about how they can make changes in their lives in order to achieve better outcomes for themselves.
Outstanding training. Certainly the best I have attended at the council. The content will enhance my practice at a broad level, not just in the context of DV. It was a real pleasure and the trainer was a real inspiration