Safety Planning
Based on the Resolutions Approach to working with denied child abuse created by Susie Essex, John Gumbleton and Colin Luger and coauthored by Andrew Turnell of Signs of Safety.
Safety Planning seeks to help parents create and demonstrate future safety for children in families that are reuniting and child maltreatment has occurred or has been alleged, but responsiblity for the abuse is denied by the family.
A Brief Overview of Resolutions Approach to Safety Planning
- Create a Family Safety network with relatives, friends, community members.
- Circumvent denial of abuse by focusing on demonstrating the desire and ability to maintain future safety for the children.
- Tell the story or explanation of concern in terms everyone can understand, "Words and Pictures."
- Develop a Safety Plan with the family safety network that satisfies the bottom line of child protective services and the court.
- Get everyone together (Family Safety Network, Social Services, etc.) to make sure there is agreement, finalize the plan, then mail it to all involved. Follow up with the family after four to six weeks.
Our Safety Planning Facilitators:
Mary McDonnell, B.A., MHP
320-214-9692, ext. 259
mmcdonnell@greaterminnesota.org
Lani Witham, B.A., MHP
320-214-9692, ext. 284
lwitham@greaterminnesota.org
Beth Hart, M.A., MHP
320-214-9692, ext. 263
bhart@greaterminnesota.org
Follow this link for more information on the Resolutions Approach to working with denied child abuse and Signs of Safety.