• Theoretical knowledge and clarity is essential, but theory needs to be applied intelligently, sensitively and flexibility.

• Skilled and appropriate supervision is crucial, as is time for a reflective discussion between workers.

• The power of the worker should always be recognised and acknowledged, as should the worker's own value system.

• Involvement of the worker always changes the family's system.

• Anyone who plays a part in the problem system can be as much a part of the system as the family is.

• Changes in the professional system or decision making often reflect shifts in the family system.

• Workers always need to be aware of issues of race, culture, gender and other difference.

• Such differences become structured in terms of power and need to be located and understood, for example gender roles within families.

• Clarification and development of appropriate boundaries can promote change.

• There is value in introducing a different approach in long-term work in order to promote change. Workers as well as families can become stuck.

• Joint or co-work can be a helpful and economic method to promote change.

• The dynamics of the family may be acutely experienced in the cowork relationship.

• Assessment and working with families to promote change sometimes needs to be distinct activities, although there is commonly an element of each in the other.

• The dilemmas for a social worker carrying a dual role, for example child protection and family problem solving, need careful consideration. The roles may not always be compatible.

• The social worker's position of neutrality is a complex matter in relation to agency function.

• Monitoring personal responses to the work is an important component of reflective practice.