Introduce
A model that is helpful for understanding how ready families are for change is the Transtheroretical Model for Health Behaviour Change (often referred to as ‘stages of change’.) This model highlights five stages of change:
- Pre-contemplation – not thinking about change
- Contemplation – thinking about change but not yet done anything about it
- Preparation – made some concrete step towards change but not not at target or goal
- Action – engaging in the desired behaviour but been doing so for less than 6 months
- Maintenance – the desired behaviour has been maintained for longer than 6 months
It is helpful to identify what stage a family may be at by asking open questions and exploring where change might be beneficial. This allows practitioners to understand how best to support a family, so that they have realistic expectations and goals. For example, they aren’t pushing someone into action while they are still at the pre-contemplation stage.
The process of change is not linear and families can be encouraged through any relapses with the understanding that they are learning and moving in the right direction.
Develop
The Cycle of Change is represented in the image below:
Image source: socialworktech.com
Watch the following video to hear Rachel Hover from Home-Start in GM, explore this theme in further depth:
Reflect
Stop and Reflect: Bring to mind a family that you are working with.
– What needs to change for this family?
– Where are they on the ‘Cycle of Change’? How do you know?
– How have you assessed the families commitment to change?
– What are the difficulties of implementing change for this family?
– Is there anything you could do differently to facilitate and support change?