The use of containment in working with a fragile mother in a child protection case

Abstract

Summary In this paper I use the concept of containment to explore my work with a family where there were ongoing child protection concerns. I begin by introducing Elsa and Jerome and their four children: Luke, Ruth, Paul and Karly–aged five, four, two and six months. Having identified each person individually, I then outline the concerns which led to Social Services involvement. There follows a description of my own involvement and a discussion of Elsa's responses to me and her apparent inability either to be contained or to perform that same function for her children. This theme continues with an exploration of Elsa's relationship with her children, partner and professionals. The discussion of my involvement with the family, concentrating on the containing roles I took with regard to the mother and the children, demonstrates how effective this method of working was in this particular case.