Cooperation in network development

‘A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you

dream together is reality.’ (John Lennon)

Tessa Verschure

To improve the daily well-being of people with

substance-abuse problems and to lighten the

load of the social workers by bringing

together the formal and informal network and

together drawing up a support plan.

AIM

- Activate the existing network of the client - Establish connections within the network of the

professional - Address the district and organizations / services- Recruit volunteers - Work as a volunteer themselves- Create their own work - Set up a system of friends - Set up a support circle

To expand / to reinforce the network

Step 1: The network mapping and analysis

Step 2: Contacting the network

Step 3: organizing a network table

Step 4: drawing up a support plan

Step 5: Following-up

Setting up a circle of support

Step 1: The network mapping and analysis

Step 2: Contact the network

• Visit the social network • Explain the network table • Check the willingness to come together • Examine the conditions of the network • Search for expanding network

• The formal and informal network come together• The needs of the client are assessed• Who can be of service and where, what can be

added/improved.• A plan of action is put in place and tested to see if

it’s feasible.

Step 3: organize a network table Step 4: draw up a support plan

• Naming a responsible person who will do the follow up

• Setting a new date

Step 5: follow-up

• Sw say that including the social network does not belong to their duties or does not belong in the treatment.

• Sw invites the network, but without giving them the continuous attention.

• Sw do not know how to develop the network.• Including the network takes up a lot of time and energy. • Sw are worried about the quality of the network and

obstruct its development.

Obstacles that need attention for the social workers (sw)

• Fear of disappointment• Ongoing rows, family trouble• Feeling socially redundent• Lack of social skills• Combined other problems• High expectations• Lack of money• Physical impairments

Obstacles that need attentionfor the client

Everyone needs a network to develop themselves, to lean on and to depend upon in difficult times.-Structural characteristics-Functions of the social network:•Emotional and physical support•Cognitive support•Value•Normative support•Social contact•Material support•Practical support•Social influence

Role of the network

- 40% of the succes of the treatment is dependent of a good social network

- To increase the functions of the social network

- The informal network can be used in day to day life, more than the professional network

- We know more together than alone- What we bear together works better

Importance of the implication of the social network during assistance