Promoting family inclusive practice in Home Treatment Teams

Purpose
Families play an instrumental role in helping their relatives experiencing mental health issues to stay well. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and potential benefits of a bespoke one-day workshop for practitioners working with families in crisis.

Design
The study was an uncontrolled evaluation of a one-day workshop for Home Treatment Team practitioners (HTTs) using pre and post-workshop questionnaires.

Findings
Eighty three practitioners participated. Overall, there was strong agreement for the involvement of families in their relative’s care, which increased marginally following the workshop. There were significant changes in views about talking to family members without service user consent (p=0.001) and keeping them informed of their relative’s wellbeing (p=0.02).

Qualitative feedback indicated that participants enjoyed the interactive elements of the workshop, particularly the opportunity to practise skills. It encouraged participants to share knowledge and facilitate the integration of family work into their professional role.

Research and practical implications
Support for families can contribute to effective mediation of crisis and continuation of care; factors that are important in reducing admission rates and protecting relationships. Participants’ responses suggested that this one-day workshop offered a helpful introduction to a family approach at times of a mental health crisis, which could be routinely offered in HTTs.

Originality/value
A social systems perspective is at the heart of a successful HTT approach to managing mental health crises. This workshop offered a feasible means to address one element of the necessary conditions for family-focused practice; practitioner confidence to talk with families at times of crisis.