Kinara FRC – Family Skills Training
IYPP PROJECT
2. The Model
2.1 Underpinning Theoretical Principles
The intervention model used at Kinara was Family Skills Training (FST) which was developed by Kumpfer and DeMarsh (1983) in the USA to reduce environmental risk factors and improve protective factors, with the ultimate objective of increasing personal resiliency and minimising susceptibility to drug use in high risk young people. Due to its success in this area, FST has been adapted and developed into a family change programme to serve the needs of culturally and geographically diverse families and their children across the nation (Wilson 2000). Research has demonstrated that, for both the parents and the young people, family skills practice helps families make and sustain improvements in their interactions (Kumpfer & Tait 2000).
The model consists of skills training for parents, children and families. Parents and children meet together at the beginning of each session for announcements. Following this, parents and children spend an hour in their respective groups. They then come together again and spend another hour in families. Refreshments are also provided but the timing varies.
There are a number of key themes:
- The theoretical basis of the model draws on theories of social learning such as positive reinforcement, adult learning and child development reinforced by research into the effective components of parent education
- The program emphasises that ‘good parenting’ requires a combination of showing love to, and setting limits for, children and young people
- The model draws on research and aims to provide strategies to support identified ‘protective factors’ for children and young people such as promoting resilience and aspirations for young people, encouraging listening and open communication and effective boundary setting, to mitigate against ‘risk factors’ such as negative peer influence, criminality and drug and alcohol use
- The model was developed to be provided to all young people and their families aged 10-14 on a community basis, acknowledging that this time of transition is a challenge for all parents, care givers and their children
- The model aims to reiterate the above points throughout the program and to be available to all sections of the community. The program is aimed at being delivered not just to parents but also to those adults important to the young person. The model recognises the context for young people and their families outside of the family home and emphasises change in the whole family system rather than simply for individuals within the family
2.2 Programme Structure
The Family Skills Training Programme brings parents together with 10-14 year old children/young people by providing seven weekly 2 hour sessions and 4 later booster sessions. The model was designed to accommodate 8-13 families and its emphasis is on positive engagement, incentives, rewards and meals.
A typical parent session would include a welcome and raffle, warm-up exercise, video vignette and narrative which is played from start to finish of the hour long session but gives time limited breaks in which to undertake specific exercises such as word storms, discussions, letter writing and questionnaires. The end of each session always includes task setting for the next week, as well as preparation for the family session, which always takes place afterwards.
A typical young people session would take place simultaneously with the parents session. There is always an ice-breaking/warm-up exercise. Very often there are several games during any one session, but these usually centre around a theme e.g. goals, appreciating parents, dealing with stress. There is a combination of discussion, video and activities some of which are arts and crafts or role play. There is always preparation for the family session which follows and in some instances task setting for the next week.
The family session usually starts with a group game before moving into an exercise which usually takes place in small family groups. There is general format of breaking into family groups to undertake tasks or exercises before coming back into the big group to share how this went. At the end of the session there is usually a closing circle, which ends the session.
Each session is split into 3 subsections – parent group, young people group and family time.
Young people sessions include:
- Strengthening social skills
- Dealing with stress/emotions
- Appreciation of parents/elders
- Increasing responsibility
- Handling peer pressure
Parent sessions include:
- Positive influences on the young person
- Child development
- Nurturing support, sharing
- Setting boundaries
- Appropriate consequences
Family sessions address:
- Listening & problem solving
- Communicating with respect
- Identifying family strengths & values
- Having fun
2.3 Programme Content
The chart below shows the content of the seven sessions for the parents, young people (YP) and the family.
View table (full screen)