About Family-Centred Service

This main area of CanChild research focuses on an approach to rehabilitation services in which families are recognized as the experts on their child and work with service providers to make informed decisions about their child’s care.

Family-centred service is made up of a set of values, attitudes, and approaches to services for children with special needs and their families. Family-centred service recognizes that each family is unique; that the family is the constant in the child’s life; and that they are the experts on the child’s abilities and needs. The family works with service providers to make informed decisions about the services and supports the child and family receive. In family-centred service, the strengths and needs of all family members are considered.  Related terms include: client-centred practice, family-centered care, family-centered service, FCC and FCS.