SOS: a relational orientation towards social inclusion
| Pages | 100-107 |
| Date | 24 May 2013 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/20428301311330162 |
| Published date | 24 May 2013 |
| Author | Sally Denham‐Vaughan,Marie‐Anne Chidiac |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
SOS: a relational orientation towards social
inclusion
Sally Denham-Vaughan and Marie-Anne Chidiac
Sally Denham-Vaughan and
Marie-Anne Chidiac are
co-founders of Relational
Change, London, UK.
Abstract
Purpose – Relational approaches have become fashionable in a variety of areas from organisational to
clinical interventions, however the practical implications of such approaches are still misunderstood. This
paper aims to define what we mean by
“
relational
”
and explores how understanding and practising a
specific type of relational approach is necessary to truly promote social inclusion and recovery.
Design/methodology/approach – A hypothetical case study is described giving a practical illustration of
how a relational approach would be used in the context of the provision of socially inclusive mental health
services.
Findings – The paper makes the case for a relational and socially inclusive approach to change. A three-
pronged “SOS”model calling attention to the exploration of Self, Other and Situation is outlined. Most
importantly, the model attempts to balance the complex and varying needs of clients, others and the wider
situation/community/organisation, as opposed to primarily focussing on individual
“
fault/lack
”
.
Research limitations/implications – The paper relies on self-report methods from a relatively small
number of individuals.
Originality/value – The paper challenges a still predominant individualistic paradigm to change. Instead it
suggests the need to redirect attention to clients’ existing relational supports to effect quicker and more
sustainable change.
Keywords Relational, SOS model, Mental health, Social inclusion, Marginalization, Mental health services
Paper type Case study
“Relational” approaches are certainly fashionable and one could easily be forgiven for thinking
they are now a preferred way to understand and interact with almost anything. A quick “Google”
search reveals relational approaches to leadership, coaching, databases, quantum physics,
ethics and psychotherapy amongst other things. But what exactly does “relational” mean in any
specific context, including mental health services? Is it a word that in attempting to mean so
many things has become diluted and an almost meaningless prefix? We think not, and in this
brief paper want to define more precisely what we mean by “relational” and how understanding
and practicing a specific type of relational approach is necessary to truly promote social
inclusion and recovery.
Definition
The Concise Oxford English Dictionary (2008), defines “relational” as:
The way in which two or more people or things are connected or related.
We find this a useful starting point and way of introducing a key post-modern concept: the idea
that rather than individual things or people being the main, sometimes only, focus of attention, it
is the relationships existing between or amongst them that offers maximum possibility for
change. In some discourses, this can be expressed as a move away from “fixing, treating and
curing” the “lone hero” individual (be they a patient, coachee, team or organisation), to focus
The authors would like to
acknowledge the work of their
partner organisation, The Relational
Center, in Los Angeles, California,
specifically of the executive
director, Mark Fairfield, in
supporting their vision of social
inclusion in the UK. Also, to
acknowledge the support of the
NHS Leadership Academy in
Norfolk and Suffolk, particularly
Senior Lecturer, Mark Gawlinski, in
providing a forum for discussing
and presenting early versions of
these ideas.
PAGE 100
j
MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
j
VOL. 17 NO. 2 2013, pp. 100-107, CEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308 DOI 10.1108/20428301311330162
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