One of the aims of the Working Together Caring (or collaborative caring) approach is for parents and other family members to become coaches working if possible alongside professionals to help extinguish unacceptable behaviour.  This will vary with different conditions, and – to make things even more complicated! – may also vary depending on individual situations at particular times e.g. daily levels of tiredness or stress of individuals involved.  

Patience, commitment and confidence building

Family members, especially those who live with the troubled person, are in a prime position of being able to give on-the-spot feedback whenever required.  Practising these skills will need much patience and commitment – and when positive changes, no matter how small, are recognised by carers and cared-for this can lead to confidence-building and further efforts.   

It is all too easy in a difficult situation to comment only on unacceptable behaviour, to forget in a busy day to notice out loud when things go right!