Life Story Work Introduction
Published on Nov 23, 2015
Life Story Work Foster Carers
MORE DECKS TO EXPLORE
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Untitled Slide
Photo by theirhistory
“Anyone who cannot produce a coherent life story for themselves is likely to struggle with other aspects of their way of thinking.
They may find it difficult to make sense of information, or to remember things accurately, or to work out what is important and what is trivial.
Photo by bloomingdem
This is especially true of children who have been separated from their birth families.
Photo by Norma Desmond
Our brains work best when we have a sense of who we are.”
Be My Parent, www.bemyparent.org.uk
Photo by Official U.S. Navy Imagery
The importance of identity and belonging
Photo by freeparking :-|
Why it is that having a coherent and stable personal life story is essential for a child’s healthy personal development and wellbeing.
Good practice models of Life Story work, how they are carried out, and why they are important.
Informal Life Story approaches
Photo by AllyWanaBwite
How foster carers can be effective in reinforcing on a daily basis a child’s sense of identity and belonging as Life Story work, including best advice as well as ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’
Polly Baynes (2008) in ‘Untold Stories. A discussion of life story work.’ Adoption & Fostering 32,2,43-49
Children need to be involved in the decision to start life story work, but all too often they are required rather than invited to participate. Many of those who grow up outside the care system choose never to explore their family history or secrets, and it is important for looked after children to be given the choice to learn more at a time that is right for them, rather than in response to organisational requirements. Our role is to make information available, but also accept that some people may not wish to access that information until they are parents themselves, if ever.
Photo by samuelbausson
Without feeling of safety, the child may be more concerned with finding ways to manage his anxiety than concentrating on the life story work. Creating a sense of safety will lay the foundations for the child's life story journey.
Photo by familymwr
Giving the child tools to both recognise and manage overwhelming feelings will be extremely helpful in itself for daily life, as well as enabling him to participate in and process the life story information you're working on together.
Photo by Elephi Pelephi
Create a working agreement with the child. This is a document which is co-created by you and the child detailing what you will be doing together when you will be doing it and for how long. It should include information for the child about what to expect from the work, including practical arrangements.
Photo by Aidan Jones
Emotional literacy
Photo by Eternal ☼ Sunshine
It is essential the beginning of life story work to help children and young people to express, clarify and learn about their emotions, in ways which may enable them to think, feel and act in more creative, fulfilling and potent ways. You must work with children to develop their skills in coping with how they feel as well as expressing and exploring their emotions within the safety of a relationship with the containing adult.
Photo by familymwr
Resilience and self-esteem
Photo by rishibando
one of the primary aims of life story work is to boost the child's resilience and minimise risk factors. We can do this partly by ensuring that the story is not simply problem saturated but it also celebrates the child's strengths and achievements in life.
Photo by Joe Shlabotnik
Life story work ensures that the child no longer carries blame for the losses and hurts he has suffered in his life. Children who've been able to develop insights and independence are in a good position to them to form a coherent balance narrative of their lives. This will provide them with a continuous sense of self, with a sense of personal identity and the basis for self-esteem.
Photo by Key Foster
Identity
Photo by footysphere
