Site Index

The Option 2 Network

About the Network

There are teams across the UK who have been trained in and are using the Option 2 model in a wonderful variety of settings, big teams and small teams, working in hospitals, children's services and substance misuse teams. We all share the view that if families are at all capable of looking after their children, then we as professionals should do what we can to enable them to do that. If families are not able to look after their children for whatever reason, then we should make the process as transparent and honest and as caring as possible to parents and to children.

Representatives from those teams meet twice a year. We feel ourselves to be a national 'virtual team' sharing skills and resources and supporting each other in this groundbreaking work. It is wonderful to be able to catch up with so many of the people who have become friends and allies.

From our first meeting in 2006, came the idea to have an electronic discussion group where the whole membership of the network could communicate easily via email with all other members. The Option 2 National Network hosted by Google Groups is here. Membership is open to teams and individuals that have been trained in the Option 2 model.

Option 2 National Network

Visit this group

Network members can have their own pages on this site. Let me know if you have any changes to make..

Next Network Meeting

16^th & 17^th September 2010 in CARDIFF

Our TENTH Anniversary!

2008 Option 2 Network Meeting

Llandudno, Conwy, North Wales

Dr Amanda Bremble

Option 2 Cardiff & the Vale

Or… Any errors & omissions are Amanda’s

All at Conwy DARRT put out a hugely warm welcome to representatives of the Option 2 inspired services from Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Option 2 in Cardiff & in the Vale. The setting was extraordinary; on the sea front in a room with floor to ceiling windows. As you sat down it was like having the sea lapping at your toes. A real treat!

The programme followed the ‘Newcastle Experience’ in January of this year - 2-days of sharing our skills and resources: information about the model, tools-sharing, creativity, future thoughts and service development with a half day presentation to local ‘movers & shakers’ that included:

The local service set up within the national experience
Input from the locality stakeholders
Best hopes for the future of the local & national Option 2 service delivery.

It was a 48 hours packed full, and what follows is a desperately inadequate summary of just a handful of the contents - it is by no means exhaustive!

The Family

Special mention has to go to Barbara’s case history presentation given to the Commissioners. Just like the presentations given by Brenda from Bristol in Cardiff 2007 and by John from Middlesbrough in Newcastle 2008, the power of the family’s story took our breath away.

“Stretching” the model or “we do crisis but we do much more”

A common theme throughout the two days was reflection and discussion on how best to target the elements of the Option 2 model at different opportunities within the process of change. Already individual services in the Network have experiences of:

Prevention (Option 2 Vale Consultation Post)
Maintenance (Conwy Maintenance Service)
Holding Case Management (Middlesbrough)
Working with the Care System (Ipswich)
Rehabilitation home (Option 2 Cardiff & the Vale)
6+weeks intervention (Ipswich & Middlesbrough)
Generic (not just substance misuse) provision (Ipswich)
Wider workforce training (Option 2 Cardiff & the Vale)

Those present agreed that there are development issues for the Network. Initially we held the Model close and put our energies into making it work locally. Then we worked at securing our service in our locality. Then at promoting the model locally and nationally. Now we are reflecting on our practice and how elements of the model might be: broadened, more specifically applied, and developed.

Supervision models in Option 2 Practice

Wulf gave us the structure in which to reflect on our supervision experiences past and present. He presented a combined model of clinical supervision and shared with the network, the DARRT experience of supervision. The opportunity to have time to reflect on future supervision aspirations was fruitful and invaluable.

Building on Research Lessons

A number of services are or have been subject to external research. A summary of those experiences was presented. From this a discussion of how the Option 2 model is perceived followed:

While the aim of the Option 2 model is to improve family functioning outcome measurements often get abbreviated and the focus shifts to ‘prevention of care’ outcomes.

There is huge scope for combining our national figures, to gain a robust measure of the impact of this model we all use, specifically by combining our ‘goal attainment’ figures at closure and follow ups.

In addition Networkers are keen to develop a pre & post-intervention measure of family function/child resilience into a tool useable with families. Any thoughts hugely welcome to Option2@cardiff.gov.uk

Scope for the Judiciary

Rhoda and Suzi gave an update from their input with the London pilots of the ‘Family Courts’. Middlesbrough work very closely with the courts and have developed a proforma for Court reports that presents the model and context before discussing the family in an ‘Intervention Assessment’ format. The clear and demonstrable model of the Option 2 intervention is welcomed by courts in all localities. There remains a tension between the 50 hours or so of an Option 2 intervention and a brief assessment from an ‘assessment expert’ in the Court arena.

Option 2 Model DVD

The Option 2 DVD was shown in its completed form to the Commissioners & Networkers present. The DVD represents an Option 2 Network approach to responding to local and national interest in commissioning the model. Primarily the DVD takes the position of three families experiencing the Option 2 intervention in 3 localities in the UK as well as the experience of the key professionals working along side these families during the Option 2 intervention. All hail Dave, Suzi and Joanna for pulling this off in such a short space of time with such a result!

TV Interest

All the services present have experience of media requests for more information, interviews and client interviews. Channel 4 are commissioning programme ideas for a week of programmes in the autumn, related to families experiencing the impact of substance use. One company is proposing an hour long programme interviewing families as they experience of working with a service that bridges adult and child services.

And finally….Llandudno

Thanks Jon (Admin DARRT) for herding the cats that are the Option 2 Networkers to Llandudno. Our B&B, The Manor Hotel, The Parade, was fab (just put B&B, crashing waves, huge portions & great service in your satnav). The Conservatory restaurant that hosted us Thursday eve had the best service, toilets, oh…& food, and accommodated the ‘Great Carrot War 2008’!

Next meeting:

All present were keen to ensure that the next meeting maximised the chances for all in the Network to attend. Consequently the debate considered:

Cost: travel, accommodation, time away from service (& significant others!), etc.

Consequently it was agreed February was easier as some services may have slippage or at least know what financial restraints they have.

Location: central location versus turn taking as the host service

who can then invite ‘movers & shakers’ locally for a presentation of the model, service & development.

Consequently it was agreed that Sheffield be approached to host next time so they may build on their original hopes for hosting and presenting to their local stakeholders.

So watch this space but more importantly remember you can INFLUENCE THIS SPACE. Email Option2@cardiff.gov.uk to comment, add, contribute, and shout!

Huge huge thanks to the entire Network; past, present and future.