My Family Tree
My Family Tree is a versatile direct work tool based on systems theory. This direct work can be used to ascertain the child’s views and voice. It is designed to be a conversational piece of work and to test your hypothesis. You can upload a photograph of My Family Tree onto the child’s file, use for evidence, gain views for s.7 reports and assessments.
My Family Tree for Looked after Children
My Family Tree can be used for direct work with Looked After Children and forms part of their Life Story. Support the user to draw or stick photographs in one of the tree houses reflecting who they live with. The 2nd tree house can be used to stick or draw pictures of who the user has lived with or stays with for respite. It helps the user connect their wider family / network and who looks after them. It helps them understand their journey so far or current circumstances. The tree houses are connected to support understanding of where the user is going and returning to. Who is important to them? Who are their birth family? The family time gazebo is situated adjacent to the tree. The user can draw or stick photographs of birth family members they see. This is important for the users to understand their world, their identity, and where they came from, prepare them for family time visits. The letter box is to illustrate letter box contact with those who they continue to communicate with.
My Family Tree to support family separation
My Family Tree can also be used for a child to understand about parent separation, who they will be living with and who they will spend time with. It is designed to support the child’s understanding of change and routine.
It creates an opportunity for the professional when completing this direct work 1-1, a conversation about what happens in each of these homes, whether the child is happy or if there are any worries or concerns. The child can draw facial expressions on themselves and family members etc in the tree houses. If they see a parent for family time, they can draw in the tent. The homes can be anyone’s home the child spends time/ overnights in, to aid discussions.
