Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Sunday, 14 June 2009
12th June 2009 UKASFP worldcafe event report
0
- 8:40 AM: carlplant Yes we're up and running, had a dash around to get the final touches to the cafe look, images should appear shortly
- 8:56 AM: ClareWhite hello, I'm logged in and set up - heading over to join you very soon...
- 9:00 AM: carlplant Ok we have folk arriving, Paul Z Jackson and Janine Waldman are preparing last minute details on their presentation later today, the tech guys have arrived at last! I'll try get some images working correctly now!
- 9:09 AM: CarlPlant
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- 9:23 AM: CarlPlant
- 9:24 AM: carlplant It's getting very busy around the coffee area, no surprise there! lots of conversations happening already!
- 9:28 AM: carlplant Ok people arriving in the main conference area, finding seats, James Mac has arrived, hopefully to get some decent photos for later!
- 9:29 AM: CarlPlant
- 9:33 AM: carlplant Barry co chair has now started to explain the way we are running the world cafe conversations
- 9:35 AM: CarlPlant
- 9:35 AM: carlplant yes the power of technology!
- 9:36 AM: carlplant Steve Smith soon to present first cafe! round of applause...
- 9:36 AM: carlplant Steve: The impact of solution focused working on trainees
- 9:37 AM: carlplant felt comfortable meeting new SF colleagues last night
- 9:38 AM: carlplant want to talk about using SF ideas and themes with trainees
- 9:38 AM: carlplant became aware of Sf in mid 90's
- 9:38 AM: CarlPlant
- 9:39 AM: carlplant my introduction to sf was via a workshop, there was limited training available, so I read what I could, De Shazer, Weakland etc, then BRIEF therapy visited which was a boost
- 9:46 AM: carlplant Steve now discussing a study of the impact of an SF course
- 9:47 AM: carlplant Trust...positivity...confidence
- 9:48 AM: carlplant Clients have the strengths and resources clients have the key...just one person's thoughts indicated in the study!
- 9:49 AM: carlplant Like learning how to swim, no longer out of my depth...
- 9:50 AM: carlplant Sessions with client can be very efficient... an illumination...
- 9:51 AM: carlplant SF is like learning a new language, once you learn it, new directions made
- 9:52 AM: carlplant Like being in a creative soup
- 9:52 AM: carlplant People are not the problem
- 9:55 AM: carlplant Ok now were ready for cafe conversations
- 9:59 AM: CarlPlant
- 10:00 AM: CarlPlant
- 10:00 AM: carlplant conversations happening about how people are impressed that such a training course could be developed so quickly, using Sf themes and small steps
- 10:02 AM: carlplant Some thoughts emerging about the study Steve did focused on very human experiences
- 10:03 AM: CarlPlant
- 10:03 AM: CarlPlant
- 10:07 AM: carlplant enthusiasm for the project was inspiring... the bigger 10 idea is nice although more detail would be great.. refreshing... energising... Steve used good quotes in the presentation, Steve Publish this study!
- 10:08 AM: carlplant Barry now asking people to change table and discuss what suggestions people could give to make Steve's project even better
- 10:08 AM: carlplant apologies for the sideways images too, some glitch with the camera
- 10:10 AM: ClareWhite More feedback on the project: being assessed by other participants is good; applying SF at every level
- 10:11 AM: CarlPlant
- 10:12 AM: CarlPlant
- 10:14 AM: CarlPlant
- 10:15 AM: carlplant "Ask service users details on trainees:...potential to do empirical research..open access?"
- 10:16 AM: ClareWhite Paul Z Jackson, Janine Waldman, the Solutions Focus, and Anna Wright, Director of
Education, Children and Families Reading Borough Council, are now talking about their project at the council - 10:17 AM: carlplant creating ambitious project for Children and young people
- 10:18 AM: carlplant developing 5 key themes with emotional wellbeing being one I'd like to focus on today
- 10:19 AM: carlplant needs analysis showing impact of poverty on children's well-being
- 10:21 AM: carlplant lack of confidence in professionals that they had the power to change.. therefore developing solution focused approaches became important... also we developed ways to measure the impact of SF practice
- 10:22 AM: ClareWhite Why is emotional well-being important?
Teenagers were engaging in high risk behaviour, anti-social behaviour. Professionals had very low levels of belief that they couldn't make any difference.
They needed solutions that would create confidence that change was possible.
Results of strengths and difficulties questionnaire is shown for Reading. Very high levels of need compared to Britain as a whole. - 10:24 AM: CarlPlant
- 10:29 AM: ClareWhite 900 people with a certain amount of contact time over two years: how would it be managed?
Initial meeting with senior team: asked what success would look like, where the good pockets were etc. This encouraged participants and led them enthused.
We sought solution folcussed champions to develop a network. These would be people who owuld share ideas and lead the change visibly. They would work together to keep solution focus alive.
We searched for volunteers through sessions with different groups.
The Champions Network has now been formed with an initial group who have been trained and have developed a project to work on.
The key element is that the project would relate to their own job eg IT staff working on an IT issue etc.
We are now running large whole-organisation events.
As well as training people, we are getting them to work on projects that are topical there.
Janine and Paul are providing ongoing support, answering questions and working with the teams throughout the changing project. - 10:31 AM: ClareWhite To ensure ongoing visibility, a Virtual Learning Environment has been built which includes blogging and forums to answer questions.
- 10:31 AM: CarlPlant
- 10:33 AM: ClareWhite Anna Wright is explaining how SF has been embedded into day-to-day management at strategic level:
Example: how are we responding to children in need? A scaling exercise was undertaken looking at a documentary that might be filmed in three years time.
At different levels, the SF Champions have learnt how to focus people constructively on problems. Good example of a trained champion who has written about changing the culture of a whole group.
Agendas of meetings have been changed, having a wider impact on the directorate. - 10:39 AM: ClareWhite Current projects (pics to be added?):
Win-Win-Win with Nadine and Lyn
Focus on a particular part of an interview with young people:
"What do you think?"
- was quite sparsely filled in but they are trying to take up the opportunity of using it to focus on children's goals.
Stacey's project
Applied it to herself, her staff and clients.
- taken up cycling
- changed the focus of her meetings
Quantative measure: increase of referrals
Corina: started a 'positive board'
After a slow start, the project's visibility created much wider enthusiasm. - 10:40 AM: carlplant Cafe conversations now beginning:
- 10:40 AM: ClareWhite Next steps:
- ongoing support of champions
- more champions, up to 80 to be trained in Reading
- development of visibility
- press coverage
- keep responding to client needs and making new projects - 10:41 AM: CarlPlant
- 10:42 AM: CarlPlant
- 10:43 AM: CarlPlant
- 10:43 AM: carlplant lots of conversations happening, I'll mingle to capture a few ideas
- 10:44 AM: carlplant I'm about to upload the ppt from the last presentation... hold tight
- 10:47 AM: ClareWhite Feedback from session:
Brave!
Detailed!
Use of projects great - makes the ideas a reality.
Liked the blog.
Seems very personal - creates interest and *energy*
Ongoing support: persevere - 10:51 AM: ClareWhite Quick briefing: what is solution focussed practice? www.ukasfp.co.uk #ukasfp09
- 10:59 AM: carlplant The first 2 presenters have returned for questions from the audience
- 10:59 AM: carlplant Clare is capturing ideas from this session
- 11:00 AM: carlplant more images on the way..
- 11:00 AM: ClareWhite Q: has this been rolled out to all partners in the voluntary sector?
Anna: They have been invited to the training, but nobody has joined from the sector yet, so this is something to follow up.
Q: How did you know this would be a good idea? Why solution focus?
Anna: I had tried this at Surrey and SF was introduced as part of the toolkit for educational psychologists
Q: The challenge in training is getting people to think differently. What is the answer?
Steve: Wait for the PHD, but... experience. The group's enthusiasm builds as somebody tries it and it works. This sparks ideas in other people and something happens in people's practice - we can then research 'what happened' - 11:00 AM: carlplant Ok 30 mins break lots more conversations
- 11:00 AM: carlplant maybe a video interview or two if I get chance
- 11:01 AM: CarlPlant
- 11:01 AM: ClareWhite The questions being answered in the World Cafe are:
What compliments would you like to give about this project?
What suggestions can you offer to make it even better?
- if you're watching outside please add your ideas! - 11:03 AM: CarlPlant
- 11:05 AM: CarlPlant
- 11:05 AM: ClareWhite Thanks to everyone in the room for the kind feedback on the streaming, feel free to pop over - we can add ideas from post-its, backs-of-envelopes or via Carl's handy little video camera...
- 11:09 AM: CarlPlant
- 11:12 AM: CarlPlant
- 11:15 AM: CarlPlant
- 11:15 AM: ClareWhite You are welcome to add your own ideas and suggestions to the presentations being given today #ukasfp09 bit.ly
- 11:18 AM: CarlPlant
- 11:21 AM: CarlPlant
- 11:24 AM: CarlPlant
- 11:25 AM: carlplant
- 11:27 AM: ClareWhite Coming up next: how to solution-focus Jobcentre Plus... the presentation will be online any minute
- 11:28 AM: carlplant
- 11:31 AM: carlplant ok people returning back to their tables, new table cloths on to write and draw ideas on, JCP staff to begin their presentation
- 11:32 AM: carlplant Alyson now introducing the rest of the JCP team
- 11:33 AM: carlplant Clare will cover the presentation... thanks Clare
- 11:34 AM: ClareWhite Alyson has introduced the presentation by saying that this project has really helped the team to work more collaboratively.
- 11:34 AM: CarlPlant
- 11:36 AM: ClareWhite The team provide a wide range of support services to individuals, staff, companies, partners.
What kind of help can we give people to get back into work, or stay in work if they have a new or existing health condition?
This is the first time the team have used solution-focused practices. - 11:36 AM: CarlPlant
- 11:38 AM: ClareWhite Why solution-focussed approach?
The team needed something simple that could be introduced easily for people on jobseekers allowance, who typically don't have access to the same sort of resources as those on IB. - 11:39 AM: carlplant IB = Incapacity benefit
- 11:39 AM: CarlPlant
- 11:41 AM: CarlPlant
- 11:42 AM: ClareWhite How it worked (see also presentation below, Project Stages slide)
Consultation: the team received very positive feedback from those they spoke to and were then able to make a financial proposal.
Training also gave the trainers an insight into how Jobcentres work.
Logistical difficulty was sometimes with existing scheduling, as well as security concerns about having private group meetings. The team had to find solutions as they went along, such as having meetings in community venues which worked well. - 11:43 AM: CarlPlant
- 11:44 AM: CarlPlant
- 11:45 AM: ClareWhite What it looked like:
A clear focus in the 1-2-1 meetings that it was about finding work, so clients had clear expectations.
Group work highlighted how much people's goals overlapped.
Groups built up a lot of enthusiasm because they were with people who had the same issues. - 11:45 AM: CarlPlant
- 11:47 AM: ClareWhite Low confidence and low self-esteem was an issue in the group work, but the people who joined the groups tended to be those with more ability to cope in the group; this required flexibility in ensuring customers were referred to the right group.
- 11:48 AM: CarlPlant
- 11:52 AM: CarlPlant
- 11:55 AM: ClareWhite It has been important to acknowledge the customers' fears and problems: solution-focussed, not solution-forced.
Participants so far seem to have a more positive attitude about their prospects for work.
A paper will be submitted to journals later this year.
Scroll further down to watch the slideshow! - 11:55 AM: carlplant Cafe conversations about to begin...
- 11:55 AM: ukasfp solution focused not solution forced, views from the Job centre plus psychologist at #ukasfp09
- 11:56 AM: carlplant first round of table conversations will focus on compliments
- 12:04 PM: carlplant some ideas... the JCP psychologists were brave setting up such a project very inspiring, working towards the customer's futures, acknowledging problems is a key factor as many people need to feel they have been listened too before working on forward motion
- 12:06 PM: CarlPlant
- 12:08 PM: CarlPlant
- 12:09 PM: carlplant Please share your thoughts and interact with these ideas?
- 12:09 PM: ClareWhite Feedback: compliments on the project -
Moving from actions to change.
Training *and* supervision nice
Knowing life hopes (as well as job outcome)
Good teamwork
Focused on big picture, not just jobs
Clear outcomes - 12:09 PM: CarlPlant
- 12:10 PM: CarlPlant
- 12:11 PM: CarlPlant
- 12:13 PM: carlplant Ok BRIEF up next... no powerpoint for these guys.. but lots of conversation no doubt ;-)
- 12:14 PM: carlplant more images from the last round first though, while Guy from BRIEF arranges a group exercise, sounds exciting stuff..
- 12:15 PM: ClareWhite Groups are kicking off a mini solution-focus interview
- 12:16 PM: CarlPlant
- 12:17 PM: CarlPlant
- 12:17 PM: ClareWhite Interviewees are bringing to mind a relationship they would like to be better. Interviewers are helping develop 8 signs that the relationship has improved. Observers are observing.
- 12:17 PM: ClareWhite (have I got that right?)
- 12:18 PM: carlplant yep it's close enough ;-)
- 12:18 PM: CarlPlant
- 12:19 PM: carlplant more images coming from early rounds
- 12:19 PM: CarlPlant
- 12:20 PM: CarlPlant
- 12:21 PM: carlplant lots of activity in the small groups, very BRIEF like workshop, good stuff...
- 12:21 PM: CarlPlant
- 12:22 PM: ClareWhite While everyone is still interviewing/talking/being brilliant, here's a final few suggestions from the last session:
Return to work - shift from this last outcome
Link in with other other philosophical changes around them
More than 75 [clients] ?
Publish a case study?
Follow-up ex groups to see how effective they are. - 12:22 PM: CarlPlant
- 12:23 PM: ClareWhite Now the discussions are turning to:
What aspect of brilliance did you observe?
How do you keep interviews simple? - 12:29 PM: Rebeca Great to know that you´re gathering and sharing ideas!
- 12:29 PM: Anonymous Would be nice for us to have some of your published work regarding group work and the effectiveness.. we are really struggling to start introducing the SF in Mexico :S
- 12:30 PM: carlplant
- 12:30 PM: ClareWhite A lucky volunteer is having therapy now...
- 12:31 PM: carlplant BRIEF now asking for a volunteer to come up to the front for 5 minute therapy
- 12:31 PM: carlplant Cheers Rebeca, I'll pass your comments to the right folk
- 12:33 PM: ClareWhite What are your best hopes...
How will you notice...
How will you feel...
What difference would that make?
What will you do with that thought?
What will people notice about you that tells you you feel at your best? - 12:34 PM: carlplant
- 12:34 PM: carlplant "ahh..." eureka moment in the 5 minute therapy/conversation
- 12:36 PM: carlplant
- 12:37 PM: ClareWhite Then what would he notice?
Like?
Who is it?
What will the people around the two of you notice that says you're at your best?
What else?
How will you know that you're at your best? - 12:38 PM: carlplant
- 12:38 PM: carlplant round of applause following the 5 minute session
- 12:38 PM: carlplant Guy has asked the tables and you guys out there, to talk about further ways you have of keeping interviews simple
- 12:39 PM: ukasfp how do you keep interviews simple and effective? #ukasfp09
- 12:42 PM: carlplant
- 12:42 PM: ClareWhite Enjoying noticing how the questions are being asked (having had similar types of questioning from @bizfizz) #ukasfp09 bit.ly
- 12:43 PM: carlplant Ok Guy is taking us to the 3rd part, sharing thoughts
- 12:43 PM: ClareWhite No need for a mirror round here is there...
- 12:44 PM: ClareWhite Feedback on the 'lifelong project' coming up
- 12:44 PM: carlplant 2 activities: finding out where the client wants to go and planning ways of getting there
- 12:45 PM: carlplant Guy discussing the comparison between punk rock and SF, SF is easier because it focuses on 2 activities, punk rock uses 3 chords
- 12:46 PM: ClareWhite Solution focussed therapy is easier than punk rock because there are only two questions rather than three chords. SF is a guiding principle and minimalism opens up space for all sorts of little projects
- 12:46 PM: carlplant Chris now talking... about his "little project: ;-)
- 12:48 PM: carlplant talking about Mark McKergow and Harry Korman's article soon to be published in JST, what SF is not, the in between stuff, also talking about Paul Hanton's improvised sax session last night
- 12:49 PM: carlplant ...it was good!
- 12:49 PM: carlplant somehow Chris has incorporated todays presentations into his slides... he's slick!
- 12:49 PM: ClareWhite What wrecks a solution focussed session? - not normally a solution-focussed question but helpful in opening up thinking. Which 'bit' do you choose to inform what you ask next?
- 12:51 PM: carlplant Chris has set a task to the tables to focus continuing a conversation he has shown on the slide
- 12:52 PM: carlplant the idea is to "focus on the next question", a vital part of SF conversations... well it's vital in most conversations, however the type of question and the curiosity behind it is important..
- 12:54 PM: carlplant Chris's next question: "Where might you go?" (The clue to the next question is most often found in the first part of the client's previous answer)
- 12:55 PM: carlplant Ohh.. lunchtime, I'll upload the video interviews
- 1:42 PM: ClareWhite Delegates: don't forget if you want to have an interview with James Macateer in the senior Senior Common Room, defining solution-focussed therapies
- 1:51 PM: carlplant Okay, people have gone to their workshops so we the bloggers may have time to grab a much needed slab of cake
- 1:56 PM: carlplant
- 1:56 PM: carlplant Just about to upload a sketch of Barbara's alcohol inspired research from last night...
- 2:04 PM: carlplant You can't expect a blogger not to come to an event and not take photos of food now can you? stay tuned...
- 2:05 PM: carlplant yes the food was beautiful... apparently, we've managed to grab a little between sorting all the techie things out....
- 2:06 PM: carlplant
- 2:06 PM: carlplant it's been great to notice lots of visitors to the live blog or the www.ukasfp.com site, please share your thoughts and ideas...
- 2:07 PM: carlplant
- 2:11 PM: carlplant James has loads of great photos from today, I'll upload these later, probably tomorrow into flickr and the www.ukasfp.com site...
- 2:17 PM: ClareWhite Mmm. Nice cake.
- 2:22 PM: carlplant More cake pics you ask? ok then...
- 2:23 PM: carlplant
- 2:24 PM: carlplant we're a messy bunch us bloggers today... pic to follow
- 2:25 PM: carlplant
- 2:26 PM: carlplant Don't forget to join the solution focused map...
- 2:26 PM: carlplant
- 2:39 PM: carlplant
- 2:46 PM: ukasfp fantastic #worldcafe conversations today at the #ukasfp09, we have one more following the next coffee break
- 2:50 PM: ClareWhite We've been trying our hand at some product photography... available for commissions :)worldcafe bit.ly
#ukasfp09 - 2:53 PM: carlplant
- 2:53 PM: carlplant Hmmm, shots of cakes, difficult to keep the subject in one piece...
- 3:10 PM: carlplant Barry calls for folk to return, he doesn't need a mic surely!
- 3:11 PM: carlplant
- 3:11 PM: carlplant and everybody comes back quickly, wow... the energy remaining in folk is impressive
- 3:14 PM: carlplant Barry calls once more.... people in their seats in lightening speed...
- 3:16 PM: carlplant James Mac is now recording the final session on video, I've just done a dubious straight to video interview... too much sugar and caffeine..
- 3:16 PM: ClareWhite The wide tendrils of UKASFP: Solution News is read in 66 countries... members are from Cambodia and working in China... we are pleased to be joined today from Mexico!
- 3:17 PM: ClareWhite Conference feedback session:
What's been better since last year and what have you been pleased to notice about your SF work/skills?
How has the association helped with that? - 3:18 PM: carlplant
- 3:20 PM: carlplant
- 3:25 PM: CarlPlant
- 3:25 PM: CarlPlant
- 3:25 PM: CarlPlant
- 3:26 PM: CarlPlant
- 3:26 PM: CarlPlant
- 3:26 PM: ClareWhite What have you learned/what will you take away from the workshops today?
- 3:32 PM: ClareWhite When you come back next year, what would you like to have noticed about yourself and the Association?
- 3:43 PM: carlplant the association is growing, SF ideas has been incorporated in more organisations
- 3:45 PM: ClareWhite Feedback:
Great to hear about SF spreading through the country & not just used in backrooms.
Big thanks for the workshops
We'd like to see an increased membership next year
We've been reminded we have increased skills to stick our necks out when the opportunity arises
Reminded that "it does no harm"
We would have liked to have seen more workshops
The enthusiasm of people in the room has been great - 3:47 PM: ClareWhite Feedback:
A chance to meet old colleagues and new friends; would have liked more time to network in the workshops
Very impressed by the strategic directions of many of the presentations
Idea: more practice sessions in the afternoon
Everyone's energised and have enjoyed the workshops - 3:49 PM: ClareWhite Feedback:
Very positive about the day.
Some people would have liked more structured welcome the night before with introductions; where to put the AGM?
Thanks to Barry and the committee for all their hard work
Challenge to everyone: get involved in improving the elements you want to see better - 3:51 PM: ClareWhite Don't forget everyone: you can see all of the material we have been gathering and recording through the day and continue the networking at www.ukasfp.com
- 3:52 PM: ClareWhite A final thanks to the conference committee for all their hard work and to Barry *applause*
- 3:53 PM: ClareWhite Kind feedback about the digital feed today, led with military precision by Carl
- 3:55 PM: ClareWhite If you've got any final notes you'd like to put up before you go, do leave them with us - everything from the tablecloths is going to be photographed as well
- 3:57 PM: carlplant Okay it's time to wrap up now, thanks to everyone who's been watching...
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