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Showcasing this approach as an early and effective intervention where a child is at risk and as a means of involving families in decision making. This workshop will show how family conferencing helps to deliver sustainable care arrangements for vulnerable children. Contributor: Children First
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Social Work Expo 19 March 2013
Family Group Conferencing
Shifting the Balance of Power
Ronnie Hill – Assistant Director for National Services
email: [email protected]
Family Group Conferencing
• Taking the decision making process out of the hands of professionals and government and putting it back in the hands of those who are directly affected
The Principles
• There is a case-independent coordinator of the process
• There are time and resources for searching out and assembling as broad a family group as possible
• Family groups have private time
• Family plans are given priority
• The referring agency implements the plan in accordance with the decision of a family group conference
Basis of the Model
• Children and families have a right to participate in decisions that affect them
• Decisions made within families are more likely to succeed
• The child’s protection and safety needs are at the centre of the decision making process
• The focus is on building the family’s strengths and capacity to care for and protect the child
• Family engagement is a process, not an event
Shifting the Balance of Power
• Agencies know best• Professionals are expert• Focus is on child and parents• Professionals occupy central
position in resolving matters• Families fit in• Compulsory plans• Menu of agency services• Language of specialisation,
rationing, risk and thresholds
• Active client participation sought• Clients are experts of themselves• Children and parents are nested
in a wider family system• Wider family is the context for
resolution• Families lead• Plans belong to families• Service mix changes• Family as a system, kinship,
cultural relevancy, coordination of state and community resources
Orthodox Radical
Doolan, M (2004) University of Canterbury, NZ
A Flexible Model
FGCs can be used in a range of situations where a plan needs to be made for a child or young person, including:
•Where a young person is at risk of being looked after
•Where parents/carers need additional support
•Where parents/carers misuse alcohol or drugs
•To support a young person who may be returning to their family
•Where families are separating or have separated
•Where prisoners are being discharged to their families
•Alongside youth justice approaches
Why should FGC be of Interest?
FGCs•Provide a focus for real early intervention•Provide opportunities to secure cost-effective plans for children•Work well with emerging practice models such as “Signs of Safety”•Go in the grain of the Christie Report, building capacity in the families and the community, reducing the need for state intervention•Support GIRFEC
How Do We Know FGC Works?
Between 01/04/12 and 13/02/13, 197 children and family members engaged with CHILDREN 1ST in FGC
Overall, 74% of people’s outcomes were met or partially met:
•Happier children, a greater sense of belonging and security•Better family relationships, reducing family conflict•More stable supportive environments•Parents and wider family network taking more responsibility to provide safe care and meet children’s needs•Reduction in statutory intervention. 86% success rate in reducing the risk of “being accommodated” where this was an issue
Family Group Conferencing
To find out more about Family Group Conferencing, to arrange a presentation to your partnership or network, to discuss the possibility of accessing FGC training or to purchase FGC, please contact:
Ronnie Hill, Assistant Director National Services, CHILDREN 1ST
Tel: 0131 319 8077
Email: [email protected]
www.children1st.org.uk
Thank You!
