Family support, prevention and early help: endurance and erosion. A decade of writing through policy and practice

The aim of this work is to examine the theoretical and practical applications of a ‘family support’ approach through the lens of my published works. This analytical and reflective work is presented here and provides a reflection of the journey through practice and publication. Included is some narrative policy exploration that takes a historical perspective and compares similarity and divergence, using examples from family policy in neighbouring anglophone nations. An application of the theoretical lenses of family support theory and poverty-informed practice to current issues and perspectives is provided, along with key professional perspectives such as relationship and strengths-based practice.

A contribution to knowledge is presented through an application of family support theory and through an argument that the set of ideas that form family support theory, by promoting a ‘consciously supportive approach’, could provide a more explicit emphasis on supportive approaches for individual practitioners. The term ‘consciously supportive practice’ is developed throughout as an organising concept that extends existing ideas on supportive, relational and strengths-based practice. The application of the theoretical lens of family support, through the published works and supporting literature, have enabled the presentation of discussions and arguments that are pertinent to the social work and social care field.