Overview
This Life Story Work training programme equips participants with a clear understanding of what Life Story Work is and its importance in supporting a child to understand their history, develop a sense of identity and emotional literacy. It emphasises keeping the child’s story central in all work, recognising the roles of the wider team, and working collaboratively with families to build a shared narrative. The training explores common barriers, introduces practical tools for building trust and safety, and guides participants in using creative methods to share a child’s story. It also covers the purpose of life story books and later life letters, and highlights resources and support available for ongoing practice.Who is Life Story Work aimed at?
Social Workers and Foster Carers but is also very relevant for anyone involved in the lives of children who no longer live with their birth familiesCourse Length
1 dayLearning Outcomes
On completion of the course participants will:-
- Define what Life Story work is and explain its purpose.
- Understand the approach of holding a child’s life story in mind through all work.
- Define the roles others have to play in Life Story work, including the wider Team around the Child.
- Explore how to work collaboratively with others, including parents, to build a narrative for a child that everyone involved in their life can support.
- Explore some of the barriers to effective Life Story work.
- Identify and practise using some activities/resources for rapport building and helping the child to feel safe before starting planned Life Story work.
- Consider how to share the narrative: translate the process (present focussed work, revisiting the past, returning to present and future focussed work) into practice and more confidently identify and utilise a range of activities to support this.
- Explain the purpose and content of life story books and later life letters.
- Identify resources to support you with Life Story Work and know where else to go for help.
