Vol. 29, No. 1
February 2026

Solution-Focused Questions in Child Welfare Practice

In child welfare, conversations often begin in moments of worry, fear, or crisis. Families frequently face complex challenges, and workers must navigate those realities while keeping safety at the center. Solution-focused questions offer a way to shift the tone of those conversations from problem-focused to opportunities for solutions. They help workers engage families in strength-based dialogue that highlights what is working, what families want to achieve, and how they can use their own resources to move toward safety and stability. At its heart, the solution-focused approach rests on the belief that every family has strengths and capabilities that can be built upon.

The role of the child welfare professional is not to "fix" the family but to partner with them in discovering and amplifying what already works. Used intentionally, solution-focused questions (SFQs) foster hope, respect, and collaboration. Families may feel overwhelmed by investigations or case plans. Shifting the conversation from "what went wrong?" to "what could go right?" can be powerful. SFQs encourage professionals to focus on strengths rather than deficits, collaboration rather than control, and the future rather than the past. They value the family as the expert on their own lives, with the social worker acting as a guide who helps them notice progress, define goals, and identify realistic next steps. Each solution-focused conversation is an opportunity to uncover resilience and capacity for change. By reframing dialogue in this way, workers can empower families to take ownership of their safety and well-being.

The solution-focused approach complements other Safety Organized Practice tools, such as harm and worry statements, safety planning, and the Three Houses, by keeping communication open and centered on shared problem-solving rather than compliance. Solution-focused questions are not a script or checklist-they are a mindset. These questions invite reflection, curiosity, and hope. They help families and workers co-create solutions rooted in the family's own experiences.

SFQs commonly used in child welfare practice include the following.

Exception questions help identify times when the problem is less severe or absent. For example, a worker might ask: "Can you tell me about a time recently when things felt calmer at home?" This type of question reminds families that positive moments already exist and can be replicated. Recognizing those exceptions builds confidence and helps both the worker and the family identify strategies that have worked before.

Scaling questions invite families to measure progress or confidence using a numeric scale. A worker might ask: "On a scale from one to ten-where ten means things are going really well, and one means they're not going well at all-where would you say things are today?" Then, ask a follow-up question such as: "What makes it a five and not a two?" This encourages reflection on existing progress and helps the family imagine small, achievable next steps. Scaling also makes abstract concepts such as safety or trust more concrete and measurable.

Coping questions recognize resilience and persistence, even in hard times. Asking, "How have you managed to get through this so far?" helps families see they are already using strategies and strengths to survive. This validation often reduces defensiveness and strengthens rapport.

Future-focused or miracle questions help families picture what life would look like if things improved. A worker might say: "Suppose you woke up tomorrow and everything was going the way you hoped-what would be the first sign that things were better?" This kind of question clarifies the family's goals and creates a shared vision for success. When incorporated into daily casework, SFQ can transform how families experience the child welfare system.

During a CPS assessment, a social worker might use SFQs to build rapport with a parent who feels anxious about CPS involvement. The worker might begin by asking: "Tell me about a time when your household felt the calmest and routines were working well." The parent might respond: "Probably last summer, when we had a set schedule for chores and bedtime." The worker could then follow up with: "What was different then that helped things go more smoothly?" This conversation opens a path to identifying strengths and concrete strategies that can be built into a safety plan.

Solution-focused questions can also be powerful when working with adolescents, who often resist traditional, authority-driven discussions. A worker might ask: "If things were going better between you and your mom, what would that look like?" The youth could respond: "She wouldn't be yelling all the time." The worker might then follow up: "What might you do that could help that happen more often?" This small shift-asking about the youth's influence and desired outcome-helps create a sense of agency rather than blame.

Integrating solution-focused questions into daily practice takes time and consistent reinforcement. To help, supervisors can model using SFQs during one-on-one meetings with staff. For instance, a supervisor might ask: "On a scale from one to ten-where ten means very confident, and one means no confidence, how confident do you feel about leading safety planning conversations?" If a worker says, "Maybe a six," the supervisor might respond: "What makes it a six and not a three? What could help move it to a seven?" This not only encourages self-reflection but also reinforces the culture of continuous learning that Safety Organized Practice promotes.

Documentation practices-such as case notes, safety planning, and child and family team meeting case planning efforts-can reflect the same strengths-based thinking, ensuring the solution-focused approach is not limited to conversations but embedded in the full case process.

There are, of course, challenges. Workers may revert to problem-focused questioning when under pressure or when safety concerns feel urgent. Others may struggle to balance the need for accountability with the spirit of collaboration. These challenges can be addressed through regular reflection, coaching, and support from supervisors who model the approach themselves.

Over time, SFQs can become an instinctive part of how workers engage families and colleagues. When child welfare professionals consistently use solution-focused questions, they create opportunities for families to feel heard, capable, and hopeful. Instead of seeing child welfare involvement as purely investigative or punitive, families begin to view it as a process that recognizes their capacity to change.

This shift benefits workers as well. Conversations that focus on strengths and progress tend to reduce tension, promote empathy, and improve morale. Workers report that using SFQs helps them stay grounded in curiosity and respect, even in difficult situations. The approach also aligns with the trauma-informed principles that guide North Carolina's practice model-helping professionals engage in ways that are empowering rather than retraumatizing.

Solution-focused questions may appear simple, but they are among the most effective tools available. By asking questions that highlight strengths, encourage reflection, and inspire small steps forward, workers help families move from crisis to competence. Ultimately, this approach transforms everyday casework into a shared effort toward safety and well-being.

In the words of one practitioner, "Solution-focused questions allow families to see their own progress-they leave conversations feeling capable, not defeated." That sense of capability and partnership is exactly what Safety Organized Practice strives to build in every interaction. When they use SFQs intentionally and consistently, North Carolina's child welfare professionals strengthen their ability to help families envision and achieve lasting change.

References for this and other articles in this issue