Fundamentals of Relational Practice: Doing Relational Care

The term ‘Relational Practice’ has been used by many caring and therapeutic professions over recent decades and it sometimes seems to be assumed that there is a single and universally accepted definition. This has not been the case, but this workshop brings us a few steps closer.

This workshop will explore the recent history of relational practice, focusing on child and youth care (CYC) and consider the work of some of the relational pioneers who have brought us to where we are, before looking at the many and varied roles the 'relational practitioner' is expected to take on.

The second half of the workshop will focus on the outcomes from recent research and international gatherings and these will be described within a framework called 'Relational Weaving'.

Ultimately this part of the workshop will name and briefly explore a significant number of core and fundamental elements that are necessary for the skilled practitioner to know and to practice, such as being 'trauma informed', understanding and implementing 'fun and humour' into our work, becoming an 'exemplar of integrity', being 'reflective in our practice', and 'responding to needs and hurt based behaviour'.

Following on from this workshop, participants will be afforded the opportunity to build on their learning and register for additional workshops over coming months that look into the core elements named above and over 20 others in greater detail and provide some helpful hints and tips.

Workshop Topics are:

1. Relational History
2. Relational Pioneers
3. Relational Professions
4. Relational Roles
5. Relational Weaving