Respect&

Justice

30 reminders for doing power with

Respect & Justice Cards

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Respect & Justice Cards30 reminders for doing power with

Booklet: Russell DealConcept & Development: Karen Masman, Di O’Neil, John Holton, Wayne McCashen, Russell DealGraphic Design: Jacqui LynchEditing: Jennie Mellberg and John Holton

Dedication

To the many thousands of individuals and families who have shaped the work of St Luke’s Anglicare over its 30 years of service delivery throughout North Central Victoria.

Your struggles and successes, your resilience and courage have shaped, and continue to shape, our beliefs, values and standards of practice.

Authorship of these cards truly belongs to you.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher.

ISBN: 978 1 9209452 1 3

Printed by: Mulqueen Printers Pty Ltd

First published in 2008 by:

ST LUKE’S INNOVATIVE RESOURCES137 McCrae Street Bendigo 3550 AustraliaPh: (03) 5442 0500 Fax: (03) 5442 0555 Email: info@innovativeresources.orgWebsite: www.innovativeresources.orgABN: 99 087 209 729

Text copyright: © Innovative Resources 2008Design copyright: © Innovative Resourcesand Jacqui Lynch 2008

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Contents

Acknowledgements 1

Foreword – Wayne McCashen 3

What is the strengths approach? 5

Why cards? 11

How might the cards be used? 14

The complete list of themes and questions 21

About St Luke’s Anglicare 26

About Innovative Resources 28

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AcknowledgementsLike all of Innovative Resources’ seriously optimistic card sets, the Respect & Justice Cards have had many champions along the way. Our sincere thanks go to Wayne McCashen, former Senior Trainer with St Luke’s and now Education and Training Coordinator for Family and Children’s Services, Top End Region, in the Northern Territory. Wayne’s commitment to the project went way beyond writing the foreword for this booklet. As author of The Strengths Approach his consultation, particularly around the wording of the phrases was invaluable. Thanks also to Di O’Neil, St Luke’s Director of Training and Mission. Di’s involvement with strengths-based practice spans more than 25 years, and her ability to articulate the themes and ideas that constitute good practice were vital in the development of the Respect & Justice Cards.

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Our thanks also to the rest of the development team—Karen Masman and Russell Deal. To Jennie Mellberg for her editing skills, and Jacqui Lynch for her wonderful graphic design. And to the thousands of individuals out there living the strengths approach at the ‘coal face’—we thank you.

John HoltonSenior Editor – Innovative Resources

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ForewordYears ago at St Luke’s we asked ourselves the question: How can we ‘do’ respect and justice? Exploring the answer to this question led us to define what these values look like when put into action.

Critical reflection on practice led to the articulation of the strengths approach, founded on the principles of self-determination, empowerment, transparency, collaboration, inclusion, the sharing of power and resources and respect for people’s rights and dignity. Central to these principles are practices that value and mobilise people’s strengths and aspirations.

The strengths approach is neither a fixed model nor a set of rules for practice. It is a dynamic way of thinking and acting that is concerned as much with processes of change as with positive outcomes. We are therefore constantly and necessarily engaged in a continuous process of reflection and learning so that we can tailor our responses to the diverse and changing circumstances of people’s realities.

Navigating our way through changes and challenges can be daunting at times. But signposts can be found in the principles and frameworks of the strengths

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approach that help us to respond with integrity to even the most difficult or dilemma-ridden of circumstances.

Respect & Justice Cards provide us with a highly useful and accessible set of prompts based on these signposts. They are designed to help us reflect, engage in and internalise the dynamism of the strengths approach and therefore help us ‘do’ justice and respect.

These cards reflect and model the strengths approach by asking questions that can help us to decide on respectful and just processes as well as inspiring unique solutions to unique challenges.

Whether we are just starting to develop the strengths approach or are faced with inevitable new challenges, Respect & Justice Cards can be confidently used to guide sound ethical planning and decision-making.

I recommend Respect & Justice Cards to all of those who are concerned to make hope, empowerment, respect and justice the cornerstones of their work.

Wayne McCashenAuthor of The Strengths Approach

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What is the strengths approach?What has come to be known as the ‘strengths approach’ is actually many different things. One of the strengths of the strengths approach is the variety of meanings it has for different people. This attempt to summarise the strengths approach simply represents the ideas of those who collaborated on the cards at one point in time. Rather than seeking to describe or encapsulate consensus, such a summary should invite curiosity and provoke discussion and debate—which is the hope we have for these cards.

The strengths approach is perhaps best described as a social movement that is by definition elusive and evolutionary.

There are some things we hope it is not:

It is not a single approach to working with others. It is more like a collection of useful ideas that many people have contributed to, and take meaning from in different ways.

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It is not a cosmology. It is not prescriptive in its beliefs and does not attempt to provide a recipe for the meaning of life.

It is not exclusive. Instead, it attempts to incorporate good ideas wherever they are found.

It is not tribal. One does not have to belong to any group or subscribe to any code. The strengths approach looks for commonalities and finds them in frameworks such as brief therapy, solution-focused practice, narrative work, community building and many other theories and practice styles as well.

It is not a curriculum. The strengths approach is not something we would want to see turned into a course with accompanying learning outcomes, assessment and issues of accreditation. Workshops on the strengths approach can best be seen as invitations to journey.

It is not a manual. There are a range of books and materials that provide useful insights into the strengths approach including the book The Strengths Approach written by Wayne McCashen and published by Innovative Resources in 2006.

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It cannot be owned by any one individual or any one organisation. St Luke’s Anglicare has attempted to articulate its learnings about the strengths approach and has developed a reputation for this, however it is only one voice in the strengths approach choir.

It does not sit with any one profession or domain. While social work and psychology have been two professions where many practitioners have embraced the strengths approach, many counsellors, teachers, facilitators, welfare co-ordinators, managers, pastoral carers, life coaches, child care workers, child protection workers, youth workers, family therapists, creative therapists (and others!) have found inspiration and usefulness in its ideas. In fact, the strengths approach gains much of its potency because of the cross-fertilisation from these different domains.

It is not static. The ideas that inform the strengths approach are evolutionary. Once expressed, these ideas should invite ongoing curiosity, reflection, challenge and debate.

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It is not saccharine. The strengths approach postulates that strengths are important and should not be overlooked, but it does not turn a blind eye to pain and suffering. We need to hear pain and sit with it, but we can also challenge its dominance over us.

A new focusIn the late 1980s and early 1990s staff at St Luke’s were becoming increasingly concerned at some of the constraints and blind spots inherent in the traditional ways community services were delivered. At times we were acutely aware that service structures and processes often exacerbated rather than ameliorated the struggles of our clients. At the same time we became fascinated by a number of markedly different ways to journey with our clients. Although situated clearly in the domain of public welfare we were challenged by the possibilities generated by the work of:- Steve De Shazer and Injoo Kim Berg who pioneered Brief Therapy and Solution Focused approaches.- Michael White and David Epston who were articulating emerging Narrative approaches.

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- Home Builders and other models of intensive family services created in the United States as radical alternatives to statutory ‘out of home’ placements.- Numerous community building programs that provided examples of what effective ‘prevention’ might look like.

These were the catalysts for a provocative restructure of St Luke’s Family Services and the quest to articulate and define what ‘good practice’ might mean for us as the provider of a range of child, youth and family services. Staff at the time included Bernadette Glass, Carol Clarke, Monica Rowland, Di O’Neil and Wayne McCashen. It was their enthusiasm and openness to change that inspired St Luke’s version of ‘doing strengths’.

In particular it was the book Beyond Child Rescue co-authored by Di O’Neil and Dorothy Scott (from the social work department of the University of Melbourne) that provided the first attempt to articulate the distinctiveness of St Luke’s approach to family work.

These ideas were further developed by Wayne McCashen who, as St Luke’s full-time trainer, ran workshops throughout Australia and New Zealand for

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more than a decade—presenting ‘Strength to Strength’ workshops to over 10,000 people!

From this ongoing process of discussion, interaction, reflection and consultation, Wayne’s book The Strengths Approach emerged. This book has now assumed a significant place within strengths-based literature.

The Respect & Justice Cards have emerged largely from The Strengths Approach. All 30 themes named on the cards are embedded in the strengths approach and most are explicitly articulated throughout the book. These 30 themes provide a useful summary and, taken together, provide the best definition we can muster.

The cards allow for another layer or stage of reflection—again giving emphasis to the evolving nature of strengths-based practice.

We unreservedly recommend Wayne McCashen’s The Strengths Approach to anyone wanting a fuller elaboration of the philosophy and practice wisdom that underpins the themes and questions on the cards.

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Why cards?As the publishing arm of St Luke’s Anglicare, Innovative Resources grew out of an era of enthusiasm and excitement that marked the early 1990’s and was the catalyst for the strengths approach.

Our first publication was Strength Cards which to our astonishment assumed an almost iconic stature, perhaps because they captured part of the essence of this emerging social movement. Over the past 15 years or so we have had great success in publishing card sets. Cards are an easy medium to use and, despite their simplicity, contain a power for conversation-building that can be transformative.

None of our growing range of therapeutic card sets pretend to be anything except conversational prompts. They have all grown out of bodies of theory and practice wisdom but they are simply tools that can be judged solely on their usefulness. If they are, at times, useful tools for building conversations we can be satisfied with our role as creators. However, if our tools are found

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not to be useful we can equally be satisfied in the anticipation that this will lead to a search for more useful ways to inspire change.

With the Respect & Justice Cards we wanted to create a set of prompts and reminders of the transformative ideas that constitute the strengths approach. We aimed to give each theme an active voice and provide an accompanying question that would add another layer of meaning and relevance. We tried to choose intriguing and useful questions to help integrate our practice.

The double-sided cards allow for the themes and questions to be used separately if required. However, the themes and questions clearly speak to each other and provide a simple way of making the connection without cluttering each card.

We also decided that each question would be plural (ie. we) stressing the relevance to groups while hoping individuals could easily substitute. Then began the lengthy and laborious task of challenging each word in every theme and question. This process consumed at least five drafts with final amendments being made right up until we went to press. You will notice

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that the cards are not numbered—we did not want to imply any hierarchy of importance or any sequence to their use.

If, in using the cards, you discover additional themes or questions then the cards have still served their purpose. Add your own cards to the set or feel free to create your own set. If the Respect & Justice Cards are the first time you have bumped into one of Innovative Resources’ seriously optimistic card sets we hope you enjoy the possibilities of Card Power!

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How might the cards be used?Cards can be used in different ways to books, posters, checklists or digital technologies. They do not have to be read in any sequence and it’s your choice as to whether you use the entire deck or just a few cards.

Powerful, life-changing conversations can be built around a single card or just a handful. Their usefulness depends upon the creativity of each user.But we do like to offer suggestions. Here are a few ideas for introducing the Respect & Justice Cards into your work, role, organisation or personal life.

1. As desktop reminders of good practice.The polypropylene box of Respect & Justice Cards is designed with a flap that can be fitted into the back of the box to make a stand. This provides an easy way to display the cards one at a time to provide a personal reminder of each theme. You can swap the cards randomly or systematically work through the set putting a new theme or question to the front each day or week.

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If you are confronted by a particular issue in your life choose a card that might provide a useful reminder of what you need to help you through. Face the cards away from you and you may have a conversation-building tool for clients or colleagues.

2. As a team-building tool: Random choice.Each member of the team or group can be invited to pick up a card at random and talk in small groups or pairs about the relevance that theme or question has for them or their team.

How would you answer the question? How do you imagine others in the team would answer it? Is this theme something your team has already explored? How did you do this? Was it successful? How well does the team enact this theme now? Do you think there are any blind spots in how you go about actioning this theme? What other questions do you think would be useful in exploring this theme?

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For small groups there may be enough cards for each person to receive several until the set is completely distributed. As a whole group you might then ask such questions as:

What are the most useful questions for us right now? What themes do we enact well? What themes require more attention? Which questions are the easiest to answer? Which are the hardest? Most challenging? Scariest? Which themes or questions intrigue you the most? Which themes or questions would you be prepared to explore further? How do we celebrate success in each of these themes?

3. As a team-building tool: Scanning.If the cards are spread so either the themes or questions can be readily scanned a similar array of questions to those in section two (above) can be asked. In addition you might invite the group to sort the themes or questions into such categories as:

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Those we do well Those we need to work on Those that are non-issues, occasional issues or frequent issues. Themes or questions that should be attended to at some stage in the future. Key themes or questions we need to address immediately.

Or you might want to ask:

What examples of good practice would an auditor find if they examined our approach? What specific examples of good practice would we associate with each theme? Who in our group, team or organisation would we identify as a ‘champion’ of each theme? Who in the group, team or organisation would we choose to consult with in order to answer each question?

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4. In coaching and supervision.In coaching or a supervisory relationship the Respect & Justice Cards can provide a rich source of prompts to thicken the conversation through such questions as:

Which of the themes reflect your strengths? What things do you do on a daily basis that demonstrate how you enact these themes? Which themes or questions are the most challenging for you?

Another fascinating activity for coaching, supervision or small group discussion is to randomly choose three themes and then consider the questions: How do these three themes connect in your life? What relevance do they have to each other and for the way you work? Do they assist, inform or talk to each other? Do they sometimes conflict with other themes?

An initial choice of three themes could be used to start a mind-mapping

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activity. Place the three themes on a table or board. Progressively add other themes and position the cards into clusters that relate to each other or connect related themes with lines from marker pens.

5. As a critical reflection tool.Focusing on a specific incident in your working life that has particular significance for you, review your actions from a series of perspectives. You could use some or all of the themes and questions to robustly interrogate the incident.

How might each card add to your understanding of what occurred? Which were most relevant to the situation? Which provided new insights? As you reflected on the incident through the lens of each theme or question were you surprised by what you discovered? Which themes or questions were most useful in thinking about what you might have done differently?

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6. As a creative writing and journalling tool.For those who use creative writing or journalling as a reflective or therapeutic tool the Respect & Justice Cards can provide useful, challenging and varied prompts to build writing around.

You might simply try to write out answers to the questions or provide examples of ways you enact them.

Perhaps each theme reminds you of a story that helped shape your personal or professional identity. Can you write about it?

Or, as you reflect on the events of the day, which cards have a particular meaning or resonance for you?

Which themes or questions would you like to find time to explore further in your writing?

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The complete list of themes and questionsChallenging assumptions How willing are we to question our beliefs?

Valuing learning How do we stay open to learning?

Acting with integrity Do our actions match our beliefs?

Valuing ourselves How do we nurture our wellbeing?

Learning from our mistakes How can our mistakes lead to positive change?

Valuing differences How do our differences enrich us?

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Valuing similarities How do our similarities connect us?

Valuing uniqueness How do we respect everyone’s contribution?

Working together How do we respectfully consult and collaborate?

Recognising strengths How do we notice strengths in ourselves and others?

Creating change How do we open up possibilities for change?

Noticing change How do we work with others to notice change?

Acknowledging people’s expertise How do we value people’s expertise on their own situation?

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Upholding self-determination How do we encourage others to direct their own change processes?

Sharing strengths, skills and resources How do we give and receive openly?

Seeking solutions How do we encourage others to find their own solutions in their own time?

Sharing information openly How do we practise honesty and transparency?

Keeping curiosity alive How do we encourage questioning, wondering and exploring?

Keeping optimism alive How do we help build a hopeful picture of the future?

Building on strengths How do we mobilise and celebrate strengths?

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Tackling stuckness and friction How do we notice and build on exceptions to the problem?

Assuming good intentions How do we remind ourselves to look for good intentions?

Building participation How do we actively include people?

Honouring people’s stories How do we respect people’s ownership of their stories?

Hearing the pain How do we sit with heartache and struggle?

Understanding the power of labels How do we challenge stereotypes?

Promoting respect, hope and fairness How do we work towards a more just society?

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Challenging discrimination and disadvantage How do we stand up for what we believe is right?

Listening to quiet voices How do we hear minorities and the disadvantaged?

Being there for others How do we make ourselves available?

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About St Luke’s AnglicareAt the time of compiling the Respect & Justice Cards, St Luke’s had 300 staff working out of more than 15 sites across North Central Victoria, Australia.

Coming from a variety of professional backgrounds, these staff work in a wide range of programs including: mental health support services, youth accommodation, child and family services, disability services, consumer services, community development, research, pre-school services and more.

Integrating such a diverse crew has its challenges. Like all organisations we have our ups and downs, successes and disappointments. However, for most of our 29-year history we have made a considerable effort to build connections across the agency.

One way of doing this has been to articulate a common philosophy of

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practice. This is our strengths approach. While it might be expressed in different ways and with different emphases, we endeavour to build common reference points as a key priority.

To find out more about the work of St Luke’s visit our website:

www.stlukes.org.au

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About Innovative ResourcesInnovative Resources is the publishing and bookselling arm of St Luke’s Anglicare. Having started in 1992 with neither a business plan nor a budget, or for that matter any knowledge of publishing, we have grown into a dynamic team of 22.

Our mission is to value-add to the core service work of St Luke’s by publishing and on-selling seriously optimistic conversation-building materials.

All the materials we publish have been inspired or grown directly out of St Luke’s extensive social work experience. For Innovative Resources, being strengths-based means producing high quality, culturally relevant and respectful materials that have the potential to transform lives.

The Respect & Justice cards describe the key elements of the work of St Luke’s and therefore the fundamental aspirations of what we hope our publications will achieve.

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Innovative Resources has both an actual bookshop and an on-line bookshop selling a growing array of books, card sets, stickers, games, toys, puppets, playtherapy ideas and hundreds of gift, stationery and novelty items—all with a seriously optimistic bent. We also offer hands-on workshops wherever requests are made.

To find out more visit our website:www.innovativeresources.org

Email, phone or fax us, or drop into our shop at 137 McCrae Street Bendigo for a coffee and a chat.

Following on from the success of The Strengths Approach by Wayne McCashen, here is a set of 30 cards that act as reminders for doing respect and justice. Each card features a key phrase— exemplifying good practice—and on the reverse, a question.

These simple cards provide opportunities for trainers, facilitators,

teachers, managers, social workers, teams, communities and individuals to engage in lively discussion and reflection on the

principles and practices of the strengths approach.

ST LUKE’S INNOVATIVE RESOURCES137 McCrae Street Bendigo 3550 AustraliaPh: (03) 5442 0500 Fax: (03) 5442 0555 Email: info@innovativeresources.orgWebsite: www.innovativeresources.org