The World is a Circle

COVID-19 Update — For Registered Facilitators

Looking for guidance on how to continue Parent Groups?

With so many communities affected by the call for social distancing and the shutdown of community gatherings, many registered facilitators are exploring creative ways to bring COSP to caregivers. We are receiving many inquiries regarding how to proceed. Our registered COSP facilitator license specifically restricts the use of remote facilitation.

We recognize that this is a unique situation. As a result, we are putting in place the following criteria for those who wish to offer remote facilitation:

While we are offering remote facilitation as an option during this prolonged period of sheltering in place, the key for facilitators is flexibility; there is a need to balance the delivery of the content with holding the distress. It’s hard to learn when we don’t feel safe and everyone is in a state of uncertainty and feeling chaotic. We have found that the calm presence of a BSWK facilitator may be just what families need in this time of isolation. Families are dealing with feelings of ambiguity, helplessness, vulnerability. This has left many feeling quite anxious and stressed.

Over the past few weeks, we have watched facilitators slow down their delivery of the COSP program to make way for the necessary Being With required to hold all this anxiety. As a result, Circle stories at the beginning of the session may take up significantly more time, and storytelling throughout takes longer, as parents seek the competent Hands of the facilitator to offer comfort and help to organize their feelings.

It is during these times that we find the best way to teach the Circle of Security is by being the BSWK Hands on the Circle. But how do we remain present and build relationships from a distance? This can be a challenge when videoconferencing. We found a useful term for this particular way of Being With - being Telepresent. This describes when we are present in another physical location by means of telecommunication technology. Offering parents a lived experience of being held in these moments of uncertainty increases the likelihood that they will pass this felt experience on, consequently helping to ease the worry and anxiety of the children in their care. The more the parent experiences the Facilitator’s competent Hands, the better their capacity to manage is enhanced.

Being With parents is central to the success of facilitating COSP. And in the same way that Being With, being Telepresent, helps families, facilitators also need Hands. We are hopeful that our facilitators have access to the necessary holding and support required to do this work. And thank you for the important work that you are doing on behalf of children and families.