FAMILY GROUP CONFERENCING
family GROUP CONFERENCING
Family Group Conferencing (FGC) is a voluntary, inclusive and restorative approach to decision- making. From time-to-time, families have difficulties caring for their children, and this can be for many different reasons. FGC is a way to bring family members together in a positive way with an impartial facilitator to make a plan for their child or young person.
FGC helps to build on people’s strengths and support families to overcome challenges. We understand that everyone’s family situation is different. We will organise your family group conference, make sure everyone who is at the conference is able to speak and be heard, and empower you to create a plan for your family together.
Families have found FGC to be a really helpful way to work out a plan that everyone has participated in and agrees to.
the 3 stages of a family group conference
1. Information sharing – everyone introduces themselves and talks about the difficulties the family is having and why this is a concern.
2. Family time – is private time for only the family to discuss and develop a plan about the concerns that were raised.
3. Agreeing to the plan – the plan has to say what needs to be done, by who, and when these actions need to be taken. This will ensure the safety and wellbeing of your child or young person. All participants need to agree to the plan and all will receive a signed copy of the plan. We then ask you when you would like a review meeting. This is an opportunity for the caseworker, your family and other agencies working with your family to meet and talk about progress of the plan.