“The term "family' can reflect a different discourse depending on the context in which it is used.".? Our focus is principally on the psychosocial definition of family. Building on suggested definitions of Degenova and Rice (2002)13 p2, and Koerner and Fitzpatrick (2002)', we define family as any group of individuals united by the legal ties of marriage or partnership, blood or adoption in which the people are

commited to one anoner h an inmate inter personas retantonship where ine members see their individual identities as importantly anached to the oroup they cal! 'family' which has an identity in us own right through a shared history and shared future, and the adults) cooperate emotionally and financially to suppors dependem individuals (and each other)

This definition is inclusive of genetically and non-genetically related individuals and partnerships responsible for the raising and support of children and young people.”