Parents' and Service Providers' Perceptions of the Family Goal Setting Tool: A Pilot Study

This qualitative study describes parents' and service providers' experiences in using the Family Goal Setting Tool (FGST). (Authors)

Background  Thisqualitative study describes parents’ and service providers’ experiencesin using the Family Goal Setting Tool (FGST). This article looksspecifically at the tool’s perceived clinical utility during annual,collaborative goal setting.

Methods Participants included eight parents and ten service providers involvedin a Family and Early Childhood Service in Queensland, Australia.Participants were interviewed individually (parents and one serviceprovider) or in a focus group (service providers). The transcribedinterviews were analysed using standard content analysis techniques.

Results Four key themes emerged including: (i) the facilitation of goalsetting, (ii) strengths-based focus, (iii) family centred processes and(iv) family empowerment.

Conclusions Both parents’ and service providers’ were positive about the FGST.Insights into barriers to holistic goal setting and the clinical utilityof the tool are described. Further refinement of the tool and trial in arange of early intervention contexts is required. (Authors)

Publication Date: 
2012
Pages: 
360-371
Volume: 
25
Issue: 
4
Journal Name: 
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
Location: 
Queensland, Australia