Family Group Conferences

What are Family Group Conferences?

FGCs originated in New Zealand and are grounded in Māori culture. FGCs are now used in many countries worldwide and make sure that families stay close together in all forms of child welfare.

Suffolk is committed to keeping children and young people connected to their families. Families are central to decision-making. We aim to work with relatives to gain the best outcomes for children and young people.

Having a Family Group Conference

Any child, young person or family can have a Family Group Conference. A family may need support if they are worried about safety, wellbeing and care and want to make a plan.

Your child's social worker may suggest a referral for a Family Group Conference if they feel it may help you and your family.

Family Group Conferences are offered when

• a social worker thinks a meeting would help
• a family needs support and want to work together to make a plan
• a child's safety is at risk.

Family Group Conferences are for all families, despite size, shape or situation.

A Family Group Conference is voluntary. It starts with the promise that all relevant family and friends are invited to take part, if it is safe to do so. If needed, we can get an advocate for the child to support them.

A Family Group Conference co-ordinator will contact you if your referral is accepted. They will tell you what the process will look like and if you would like to take part.

How we can help families

Before the Family Group Conference

The co-ordinator will:

• get informed consent from those with parental responsibility to proceed.
• help the family identify the important people to invite to the meeting. This goes beyond birth family. It can include the step-family, extended family, friends. As well as other important relationships, like neighbours and church groups.
• visit all key family members in person or call them, including the children the plan will be about.
• talk to all those who will attend the meeting, both family and professional, to explain what the meeting will be like
• help the family to identify what they might want to put in their plan.
• offer an advocate for someone who may not feel able to participate. They can get views by phone, video, or in writing from family who cannot attend.
• arrange the meeting including time, venue, transport, childcare, and refreshments.

During the Family Group Conference, the coordinator will:

• make sure the meeting is safe by setting clear ground rules
• ensure the child or young person is comfortable and their voice is ‘heard’ and central in the plan
• step in and refocus the meeting when needed
• maintain safety at the meeting, even if this requires rescheduling or stopping the meeting completely
• make sure the family feel safe during the meeting. This might mean having separate meetings or breakout rooms where people can go if they feel cross or upset
• remain available for the family, during private family time
• help the family to present their plan, clarifying any unclear points and identify any unmet needs of the child or young person that might compromise their safety.

The family agree how the plan will be monitored and if it will need to be reviewed.

Everyone who attended the meeting will get a copy of the plan. If the family want other people to have a copy of the plan, this can be shared with consent.

After the meeting

The coordinator will:

• circulate the plan as agreed at the Family Group Conference in two working days
• keep a secure record the plan 

The social worker will help the family implement the plan as agreed at the Family Group Conference.

Visit the Family Rights Group website for more information on Family Group Conferences.