Set the stage of negotiation by stating the statutory framework (including any court order) under which casework is being conducted (eg. protection of children, drug-relate offences, domestic violence, self-harm)

Encourage the client to express their feelings and thoughts about the situation - the worker should use their reflective listening skills at this stage

Worker express her/his thoughts and feelings about the constraints of the intervention while being respectful of the client

Worker inquires about the reasons for client resistance - ie what exactly does the client stand to loose by engaging in the change process or adhering to court orders? Notes are taken for use later.

Sit side-by-side with the client and go over the basis of the intervention (eg. a court order, child protection allegation, etc)

Reframe directives to be of interest to both worker and client (eg. rather than, "if you don't cooperate, we will have to take your child from you", "we will be happy when we are reasonably sure that your child is safe and has reasonable opportunities to grow and develop".)

Client and worker both invited to question aspects of the bottom line and the worker should be prepared to negotiate where appropriate. For example, the worker would need to be specific about what "reasonably sure that your child is safe" means.

In the case of drug use by a parent, specific connections relating to child protection (such as managing supervision of a young child while intoxicated) should form the basis of the bottom line. (see Risk Assessment for Parental Drug Use)

Having agreed on the bottom-line, brainstorm a broad range of possible interventions and treatment goals which might meet the bottom line.

Negotiate a case plan taking into account the legitimate client interest, the bottom-line and the brainstorm of negotiable aspects of intervention. Keeping written notes from the former steps will be helpful here.

Worker may express her/his legitimate interests (eg. amount of time for the case, availability of transport, etc.) to enable the fairest plan for both client and worker.

Where there is ambivalence around choosing a particular course, the worker may use a modified motivational interviewing to help with decision making. In this modified version, both worker and client progress through the decisional balance of costs and benefits.

The main points of an initial plan are drawn up while you are both there.

Set a short-term goal with the client.

Determine with client, answers to the following:

	How  will the treatment plan be monitored?
	How will worker and client know that the treatment plan is working
	What will happen if the client fails to comply with one or more of the terms?
	Precisely what is required before Departmental services  are terminated or renegotiated?