Strengths approach to practice

Learn how to identify and mobilise strengths to create change

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The Strengths Approach to Practice course will help you build the skills to support others to identify, celebrate and mobilise their strengths. Why is this useful? When people are aware of their strengths and resources, they are much more likely to feel empowered to find solutions.

In this comprehensive introduction to the strengths approach, you will learn a range of immediately applicable strategies that you can use in your work and personal life. Through a series of videos, reflective exercises, written and visual content, you will explore questions like:

  • How can I reduce power imbalances and increase empowerment?
  • How can I frame conversations so that they are solution-oriented rather than problem-oriented?
  • How can I ask great questions to create the conditions for change?

We also explore a range of tools you can use to guide conversations with people who are experiencing complex challenges. These tools have been developed to help guide your interactions with people, to increase the likelihood of a positive outcome.

This course is highly relevant for social workers, counsellors, managers, educators—in fact, anyone who works with others.


Strengths Approach to Practice - Key Principles and Benefits

With Andrew Shirres, Practice Development Coach.


"This course is for anyone seeking to build respectful, inclusive, strengths-based, power-with ways of working with people. It captures the essence of the strengths approach drawing from years of experience in the field, including early work at St Luke's, Bendigo, Australia. It mirrors the practice frameworks articulated in the book 'The Strengths Approach' (second edition). It will equally be useful for anyone seeking to refresh their understanding of the strengths approach. I highly recommend this course!"

Wayne McCashen, Author: 'The Strengths Approach - Sharing power. Building hope. Creating change', St Luke's Innovative Resources, 2017

 

Your Instructor


Sue King-Smith
Sue King-Smith

Sue has moved across from community development work within Anglicare Victoria’s St Luke’s, to develop a new e-learning platform for Innovative Resources. She holds a PhD in Creative Arts along with degrees and diplomas in the humanities, teaching and management, and is an accredited life coach. Her community services work and teaching is informed by strengths-based and solution-focused approaches, and she has a long-standing interest in transpersonal psychology. Sue is also a published poet and nonfiction writer. For three years, she was the co-editor of the literary ezine, The Animist, which was archived under the National Library’s Pandora Project. She has just finished a stint as chief editor for the Melbourne Poets Union.


Course Curriculum


  Strengths Approach to Practice - Start Here!
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  Introduction to the Strengths Approach
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  Power-over and Power-with
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"This online course enabled me to explore the theories and concepts behind applying strength-based practices to my work with adequate practical exercises and examples to make the theoretical concept relatable. I found it invaluable and very easy to understand. The course work was interactive and applicable to anyone working with clients in a counselling or social work capacity.

In my role as a youth worker and mentor, focusing on communication and authentic connections, I loved the infinite respect and effectiveness of this approach and was able to apply the lessons instantly with an amazingly positive effect, and have received great feedback! The fact that this course is 100% online makes these important skills accessible to anyone. Couldn’t recommend it highly enough! “

- Ingrid Uema (Youth Worker)

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and how long you take to finish it.
How long do I have access to the course?
After enrolling, you will have unlimited access to this course whilst it is hosted on this platform - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
Please let us know how the course could be improved. Your feedback is important to us!
Will I receive a certificate?
On successful completion and validation of all elements of the course, a certificate will be issued upon request.
How do I receive a Tax Invoice?
Please forward your receipt email, along with your name and address to [email protected], and we will email you a copy for your records.
Are there any additional transaction fees?
St Luke's Innovative Resources will not charge any additional transaction fees. However as the platform being used to host our eLearning courses is based in America some Australian Banks may charge an overseas transaction fee.