Family-centered service
FCS is an approach to service delivery that recognizes ‘family’ as central to all our work with children facing challenges of health or development. Three principles of FCS include the assumptions that:
- Parents know their children best and want the best for their children;
- Families are different and unique; and
- Optimal child functioning occurs within a supportive family and community context.
The child is affected by the stress and coping of other family members. There is research evidence to support the value – to families – of this approach. This includes parents’ reports of more satisfaction with services, better mental health, and lower levels of stress in dealing with service providers.
