What are Supporting Strengths?

"Positive elements or factors in a child or family’s life that are good for that family, that support that family, but in and of themselves do not directly address or minimize the current dangers.​"

Consider things like coping strategies, extended family or community, past history of recovery, participation in services. These are all important things that can built upon, but if they don’t translate into clear actions that protect children from the current dangers, they are strengths, not safety

​Supporting strengths are things that are happening in the family or resources/capacities of the parents/caregivers that make things better for the child, particularly  in relation to what we are worried about.