This is one of a series of thoughts tagged as Boundaries.

This thought specifically relates to the notion that in working with multiple possible interventions, any of which could be deployed at any time, the task of maintaining clarity and a Mentalizing stance upon the question 'what is the task at hand?' is essential.

Having a clear answer to this question at any time, whatever we are engaged in, will help the KeyWorker maintain a sense of orientation to the overarching goal, and to the sequence of subtasks required to achieve this. The notion of a set of different boundaries that need to be constantly redefined can be helpful, and these can be summarised by the acronym TARTS:

T.A.R.T.S.

...These are the boundaries of:

Task

1. What is my task here and now?
2. Is what I am doing relevant to the task in hand, or am I getting sidetracked?

Authority

1. Do I/we have the authority to carry out this task? (Are we Quorate to make this decision...?) If not, who is?
2. Should I be consulting with the Supervisory team or summoning other qualified help at this time?

Responsibility

1. What of this is my responsibility?
2. What of this is the responsibility of the young person, his or her parents, of other clinicians, or other services?

Time

1. How long have I allocated for this task?
2. Have I communicated this to the young person or family?
3. Am I on schedule?

Space

1. Where is the task in hand to be carried out?
2. Who are the appropriate people to be present? (Do I need to guard privacy at this time by keeping parents or others out?)

The KeyWorker will practice maintaining a regular internal dialogue (Work on the Self) to check the answers to these questions, and will refer to the team's SupervisoryStructures to maintain this reflective stance.