A Solution Oriented Approach In Educational Settings The aim of this series of training sessions is to give an introduction to the principles of solution oriented working and to its practice in educational settings. The aim of this series of training sessions is to give an introduction to the principles of solution oriented working and to its practice in educational settings.

Training Sessions 1. Introducing A Solution Oriented Approach and The Principles 2. SO Techniques 3. Key Features of a SO Conversation 4. SO Meetings 5. Using a SO Approach in Education 6. Practice and Next Steps

Session 1 June Introducing A Solution Oriented Approach Session 1

Aims of Session One  Provide a background to solution oriented thinking and practice  To become familiar with the 10 principles of solution oriented thinking and practice.

Origins  Developed in 1980s by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Berg from listening to clients.  Used in family therapy and mental health settings.  Now used more widely in schools, social work and management.

What Is Being Solution Oriented All About?  A positive philosophy of thinking, being and doing..  Being Optimistic..  About the way you look at a problem really affecting your ability to deal with it..  Uses the power of imagination to generate impetus for change..

A Solution Oriented Approach  Concentrates on developing solutions rather than examining problems.  Shifts from problem talk, thinking and description to solution oriented talk, thinking and description.  Aims to develop solution behaviours and to envisage a better future.

Solution Oriented Approach  fits well with shift towards empowerment and partnership where solutions are developed together,  is positive, forward looking and practical,  can be used within a variety of contexts within education (e.g. individual discussion, review meetings, staff meetings).

Key Differences From Problem Focused Approaches A Solution Oriented Approach Problem based approaches PASTPROBLEMFUTURE GOALS

“ The solution oriented approach is a way of being, not just a collection of tools and techniques. If you believe in the principles the actions will follow.”

Solution Oriented Principles 1.Listen to the person, listen for the possibility 2.People have the necessary resources to make changes [Sycol] 3.Everyone has their own ways of solving problems 4.No sign-up no change. Collaboration enhances change[Sycol] 5.Language shapes and moulds how we make sense of the world

Solution Oriented Principles 6. A focus on future possibilities and solutions enhances change [Sycol] 7. There are always exceptions to the problem 8. Small changes can lead to bigger changes 9. If it works, do more of it; if it doesn’t work, do something different [Sycol] 10. The problem is the problem; not the person [Sycol] [Sycol]

PRINCIPLE 1: LISTEN TO THE PERSON; LISTEN FOR THE POSSIBILITY  Listening to the person's feelings, experiences, and behaviour from their perspective  Not imposing your own values or perspective, and hearing possibilities, which may be developed later

PRINCIPLE 2: PEOPLE HAVE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO MAKE CHANGES  Each individual has a range of competencies which are adequate to deal with the issues they face  Help the individual to discover their resources -don't try to 'help' them with a solution

PRINCIPLE 3: EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN WAY OF SOLVING PROBLEMS  Every human being is unique and has their own way of dealing with issues  Try to mobilise their plans and options.

PRINCIPLE 4: NO SIGN-UP, NO CHANGE; COLLABORATION ENHANCES CHANGE  Engaging and involving all those involved in any potential move towards a solution,  allowing full discussion and debate of all involved about possibilities,  making ‘concrete' what each individual has agreed to do and establishing a means of creating a formal contract or agreement.

PRINCIPLE 5: LANGUAGE MOULDS AND SHAPES HOW WE MAKE SENSE OF THE WORLD  Emphasising the positive, the possibilities, and being ''future oriented"  Reframing issues in “possible” language - what it will be like once a "solution" has been achieved

PRINCIPLE 6: A FOCUS ON FUTURE POSSIBILITIES ENHANCES CHANGE  Using language which focuses on the future, on change, and leaves the problem in the past behind

PRINCIPLE 7: THERE ARE ALWAYS EXCEPTIONS TO THE PROBLEM  Listening out for always, every, never, all the time..…,querying absolute statements and focusing  Building on exceptions, situations and times when things went well

PRINCIPLE 8: SMALL CHANGES CAN LEAD TO BIGGER CHANGES  Not being overwhelmed by the scale of the issues involved  Focusing on any way which moves matters forward, however small it might seem  Converting any potential move forward to the 'concrete'

PRINCIPLE 9: IF IT WORKS DO MORE OF IT; IF IT DOESN’T WORK, TRY SOMETHING ELSE  Challenging 'what we usually do‘ critically  Examining the effectiveness of current practice, and  Imagining other alternatives

PRINCIPLE 10: THE PROBLEM IS THE PROBLEM, NOT THE PERSON  Using language which: –focuses on the problem –separates it from the individual who 'has' the problem  Focusing on how to resolve matters/issues rather than cure/change/improve/ the 'individual'

ACTIVITY 1(2) Discussion  In pairs or threes, select one of the principles.  Can you think of when you would use it?  Are you already doing this?  How could this principle influence / improve your practice?

ACTIVITY 1(3) Discussion  On a scale of 1-10 rate yourself/your school on each of the 10 principles  Which 3 principles are the most challenging at present?  Which 3 principles do you feel you are already good at?

Solution Oriented Approach Techniques Listening skills – Listen, accept acknowledge Looking for Exceptions Building on what works Highlighting progress (Scaling) Envisaging a better future Solution Oriented Approaches – Handbook 2012 (