Mrs Kathy Billinghurst1
1Sa Health – Salhn, Daw Park, Australia
Abstract:
Currently, there are no structured Family Psychoeducation programs within the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) Mental Health Division, resulting in a gap in support and education for families. Social workers play a vital role in bridging this gap by providing psychoeducation to families to support their loved ones. This project aimed to develop and trial a structured Family Psychoeducation group program using a "Family Psychoeducation Fidelity Scale", ensuring a systematic and evidence-based approach.
Developed and facilitated by social workers in collaboration with lived experience team members and other stakeholders, the program integrates the fourteen components of the Fidelity Scale required to meet best practice in Family Psychoeducation. The standardised curriculum covers six key topics: Psychobiology, Diagnosis, Treatment & Rehabilitation, Reactions to Experiencing Psychosis as a Family, Relapse Prevention, and Family Guidelines. By focusing on these elements, social workers will empower families through education which will complement multidisciplinary care.
Informed by literature the program will be trialled with the SALHN Psychosis Teams to assess its effectiveness. Pre- and post-program surveys will be conducted with families and social workers to evaluate their experiences and the impact of the intervention. This initiative strengthens the role of social work in mental health services by enhancing evidence-based practice, improving consumer and family outcomes, and reinforcing person-centred care.
This presentation will introduce the Family Psychosocial Education group program, its theoretical foundations, and preliminary feedback from families and staff, emphasising social work’s crucial contribution to family support within mental health services.