Using Genograms and Ecomaps in Social Work UK

Visual Tools for Assessment

Genograms and ecomaps are powerful visual tools that help social workers understand family relationships, patterns across generations, and support networks. They provide a clear, visual representation of complex family systems that words alone cannot easily convey.

These tools are useful in assessment, case planning, and direct work with families. They can identify patterns, highlight strengths and concerns, and facilitate conversations about family dynamics.

Genograms

A genogram is a graphic representation of a family tree that displays detailed information about relationships among individuals. It goes beyond a simple family tree to show emotional relationships, patterns of behaviour, and significant events across generations.

When to Use Genograms

During initial assessment to understand family structure
When exploring intergenerational patterns
In complex family situations with multiple relationships
To identify family strengths and support
To understand children's connections to extended family
In direct work with children to explore their family

Basic Genogram Symbols

People:

□ Square = Male

○ Circle = Female

◇ Diamond = Unknown gender or non-binary

X through shape = Deceased

Double line around shape = Index person (focus of assessment)

Relationships:

─── Solid horizontal line = Marriage/partnership

╱ Single slash = Separation

╱╱ Double slash = Divorce

┃ Vertical line = Parent-child relationship

- - - Dotted line = Cohabiting/informal relationship

Emotional relationships:

═══ Double line = Close relationship

≋≋≋ Wavy line = Conflictual relationship

─ ─ ─ Broken line = Distant/estranged

═≋═ Close and conflictual

Information to Include

Names and ages/dates of birth
Significant health conditions or disabilities
Occupation or circumstances
Deaths (with cause if significant)
Previous relationships and children from them
Miscarriages, stillbirths, or abortions (if shared)
Who lives together
Significant events or issues

Constructing a Genogram

Start with the index person (child or adult who is focus)
Add parents, drawing appropriate relationship line
Add siblings in birth order (oldest on left)
Add grandparents above parents
Include previous partners and children from those relationships
Add relationship quality lines
Note significant information (health, deaths, issues)

Tip: Create genograms with families as a collaborative activity. This helps engage families, check accuracy, and can open up conversations about family patterns and relationships.

Ecomaps

An ecomap is a visual representation of the important systems and relationships in a person's or family's life. It shows connections to the wider environment including formal services, informal support, and community resources.

When to Use Ecomaps

To assess support networks and isolation
To identify resources and services involved
To understand the quality of relationships with services
To plan support and intervention
To identify gaps in support
To show the child's world from their perspective

Basic Ecomap Symbols

Central circle: The family or individual

Outer circles: Systems, services, people in the environment

Connection lines:

─── Solid line = Positive/strong connection

- - - Dotted line = Weak/tenuous connection

≋≋≋ Wavy line = Stressful/conflictual relationship

──→ Arrow = Direction of energy/resources flow

Line thickness = Strength of connection

What to Include

Formal systems: School, health services, social services, housing
Informal support: Extended family, friends, neighbours
Community resources: Church, clubs, community groups
Work/education: Employers, colleges, training
Recreation: Sports clubs, hobbies, social activities
Significant individuals: Key people in the person's life

Using These Tools in Practice

In Assessment

Include genogram in family composition section
Use ecomap to assess support networks
Identify intergenerational patterns of concern
Highlight sources of support and stress

In Direct Work

Create them with children to explore their world
Use child-friendly versions with pictures or drawings
Explore changes over time
Identify people the child feels safe with

In Case Planning

Identify gaps in support to address
Build on existing strengths and resources
Consider which connections need strengthening
Plan for contingencies using network resources

Interpreting Patterns

Genogram Patterns to Notice

Intergenerational abuse or neglect
Patterns of relationship breakdown
Mental health or substance misuse across generations
Significant losses or trauma
Patterns of early pregnancy or young parenting
Estrangement from family
Strong protective relationships

Ecomap Patterns to Notice

Social isolation (few connections)
Over-reliance on services (few informal supports)
Stressful relationships with key services
Strong informal support network
Uneven support (one parent has many, one has few)
Child's connections vs parent's connections

Common Mistakes

Creating without the family: Missing opportunity for collaboration
Incomplete information: Not exploring extended family
Static view: Not updating as circumstances change
Focusing only on problems: Missing strengths and resources
Not using in analysis: Creating but not interpreting

Document Family Systems Clearly

SpeakCase helps you capture family information during visits. Record relationship details, then create clear genograms and ecomaps for your assessments.

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Conclusion

Genograms and ecomaps are valuable tools that make complex family information visual and accessible. They help identify patterns, strengths, and gaps that might be missed in narrative recording. Used collaboratively with families, they can also be powerful engagement and direct work tools.

The key is not just creating these diagrams, but actively using them in your analysis and planning. A genogram that sits uninterpreted in a file adds little value - but one that informs your understanding of risk and protective factors across generations is invaluable.