Family Group Conferencing
Could you do with a bit more support? Struggling? Concerned about the kids?
What is a Family Group Conference?
A family group conference is a meeting where family members and close friends come together to create a plan for a child. Members of the CFNE team help the family get ready for the meeting, making sure everyone feels prepared. Children are usually involved, often with support by an adult, to ensure their voice is heard. The process is voluntary, meaning families choose to take part and cannot be forced into it.
What happens at the FGC?
- Part 1 - Information Sharing
The FGC Coordinator facilitates the meeting. As the social worker and referrer, you will attend the meeting and share your concerns with the family. You will set out what decisions need to be made by the family and the family may ask you questions about this. - Part 2 - Private Family Time
The professionals (including the Coordinator) leave the room for the family to develop their plan to address the worries and concerns that have been raised. They will identify what financial support they need for the plan to work.
During this time, and when FGCs are held at Changing Futures, you will be offered a space to work whilst the meeting is taking place as the family can take as long as they need to create their plan. - Part 3 - Agreeing the plan
The Coordinator will ask you to return to the meeting to hear the plan that the family are proposing to keep the children safe. Once this is agreed by you and the family, a review date for the plan will be agreed upon, which you will all attend.
What happens after the FGC?
The Coordinator will type the plan for everyone to have a copy within a few days of the FGC. The actions must be copied into the child's plan on LSC by either you or admin support. After an agreed period of time, the family members will come back together for a review meeting to see how the plan is working. The review will be typed up and shared with all members of the FGC.
Eligibility
The Family Group Conferencing service is for families who are subject to pre-proceedings (PLO) only.
Make a Referral
If you're a social worker and are working with a family who could benefit from this scheme, please contact us to make a referral
