The Regional Think Family Subgroup in partnership with the Health and Social Care Board and Western Health and Social Care Trust are holding a Regional Update and Launch of the Family Model E-Learning Foundation Programme in May 2019. 

For full details of the event and how to book see below.

Please complete the attached booking form and return to Olivia.okane@westerntrust.hscni.net by 30th April 2019

Booking Form

The Champions’ model was set up in Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) in October 2012 as part of the regional Think Family NI initiative. There are approximately 68 Champions in BHSCT spanning social work and nursing. All of these individuals have an interest in the area of parental mental health and give of their time to act as a link person for their team in line with the above objectives.

The aims of the project are:

• Improve communication across the mental health & children’s services interface
• Promote collaborative working
• Improve outcomes for families where there is parental mental ill health.

The work of the project was recognised with a Poster Award at a recent international Think Family Symposium in Belfast, which was sponsored by Queen’s University, School of Midwifery & Nursing and HSCB, Think Family NI.  The Champions’ project was one of three recipients out of nineteen contributors.

The Symposium also launched the findings from the HSCB commissioned “Study of Health & Social care Professionals Family Focused Practice with Parents who have mental illness, their Children & Families in NI”. Copies of the report are available by clicking here

Contact Us:

For further information please contact Mary Donaghy by email at mary.donaghy@hscni.net 

Researchers from Queen’s University Belfast have launched new report findings into family mental health at the joint Health and Social Care Board and Queens University Think Family Symposium hosted last month.

Parental mental illness and, or substance use problems, are major public health issues as they may negatively impact children. Conversely, children’s experiences and difficulties may impact parents’ mental health. In 2012 the ‘Think Family NI’ initiative’ was developed by the Health and Social Care Board alongside the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership and was implemented within a regional action plan as part of a family based model approach to care, known as ‘Family Focused Practice’ (FFP).

Sean Holland, Chief Social Work Officer, Office of Social Services in the Department of Health spoke from the event and, said:  “I welcome this important study which will give health and social services a baseline of family focused practice on which to improve from. Children and family members have been providing feedback about the benefits of family focused practice in their recovery journey they have shared with parents and family members. It is important that we note and develop the opportunities and initiatives they have identified. The outcome of the study will help develop and embed family focussed practices when parents suffer from mental health issues.”

Download the full Think Family Symposium Press Release by clicking here

Contact Us:

For further information, please contact HSCB Communications on 028 9536 3278 or nataleen.surgenor@hscni.net

Dr. Adrian Falkov, author of The Family Model Handbook will host an evidence informed and practical training session to raise awareness of The Family Model and its use in practice with parents who have a mental health issue and their family members. The workshop will take place on 17 May 2018. It will help participants to learn about the six domains of The Family Model, apply The Family Model in their service area to support family focused practice and support the parent and family recovery.

Download the Think Family Training Session flyer by clicking here 

Contact Us:

If you would like to attend this event please contact Marie Blair by email at marie.blair@hscni.net or Louise McLaughlin at louise.mcloughlin@hscni.net by 10 May 2018