A Family Group Conference (FGC) is a decision-making process that empowers families to take responsibility for resolving issues that affect their children. The idea behind a FGC is to bring together the family, friends and relevant professionals (such as the social worker, school etc.) to develop a plan of action that addresses the concerns the local authority have about a child, their safety, wellbeing or their care.
The process is rooted in the belief that, where possible, families are best placed to make decisions about their own children, and that family members should be given the opportunity to actively participate in finding solutions for any child in the family.
Key Features of a Family Group Conference
- The primary focus of an FGC is on the family and friends, who are invited to come up with solutions for the children’s care. The idea is to enable the family to come up with their own plans and ways to help the child. Each family will be different and each participant at the FGC may be able to offer something different, something unique and tailored to the family’s circumstances.
- A trained, impartial facilitator or coordinator is usually appointed to oversee the FGC. Their role is to ensure the process is fair, that all family members have an opportunity to participate, and that the meeting remains focused on the child(ren) and his or her needs.
- FGCs are typically held in a private setting where family members and any friends that attend, can openly discuss concerns about the child without any judgment. Generally they can be in person but hybrid meetings allowing family members that live far away can be arranged, to ensure that everyone that is willing to participate can do so in a fair and constructive way. They can also be fully online if that is agreed. Professionals, such as social workers, may attend, but their role is generally to provide information and support, not to lead the discussion. The discussion should be led by the family and family friends and guided by the Independent Coordinator.
- After gathering information from the family and friends that attended the FGC, a plan is developed. If the plan is agreed by all parties, it is then reviewed by the relevant agencies or professionals to ensure that it meets safety standards and legal requirements. It can become a central tool if and when emergencies arise and family & friends need to step in to safeguard a child or sometimes simply to provide a respite care. What goes in each plan is tailored to each family and each child’s needs.
If you have any questions about this please contact us and ask to speak to one of our specialist children lawyers.
Irena Osborne, Founding Partner