Solution-focused brief counselling with children

The heavy caseload and the increased involvement and participation of children are having an impact on social work. In addition, the number of complex issues and life situations is constantly growing. This calls for a shift in the approach to social work: away from a deficit-based mindset and towards a solution-focused approach. This paper examines the possibilities and limitations of solution-focused brief counselling in conversations with children. The findings clearly show that solution-focused brief counselling can be effectively applied in conversations with children. Conversations with children should therefore not be a matter of technique, but rather a matter of interest in and curiosity about the child. Furthermore, a positive, future- and resource-oriented basic attitude is of great benefit in conversations with children.