The five approaches are five defined approaches to Life Story Work that organisations can use to guide training and support for their carers and practitioners. The approaches have recently been published in the British Journal of Social Work.

A core aim of the five approaches is to offer lower intensity approaches that foster carers, special guardians, adoptive parents and practitioners can use on a consistent basis, reducing the need for one off higher intensity approaches that can be costly and are often less accessible. By training those caring for and supporting young people in lower intensity approaches more effective and consistent life story work could be provided producing better outcomes for young people at a more sustainable cost to organisations.