PERCS Conversation Guide

If you’re not sure how to talk with parents about their children, particularly when the family is facing adversity, this free conversation guide can help.

The PERCS Conversation Guide is designed to support collaborative, respectful conversations between professionals and parent-clients about how adversity can affect the whole family. This includes physical and mental health problems, substance use issues, family and domestic violence, natural disasters and traumatic events, and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

This psychosocial discussion tool was developed based on academic evidence and consultations with practitioners and parents. It recognises that for many professionals, particularly those working in adult-focused services, it can be difficult to talk with parents about their children, and how the parent’s challenges may be impacting on the rest of the family. The guide includes example questions designed to help you explore the five important domains in a child’s life:

• Parent-child relationship
• Emotions and behaviours
• Routines
• Communication and meaning-making
• Support networks.

The PERCS Conversation Guide aims to help professionals to recognise parents’ strengths and hopes for their family, and identify opportunities to support and improve children’s mental health, physical health, resilience and wellbeing. Download a copy of the free conversation guide via the link above.