Sussex Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures
Sussex Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures Sussex Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures

1.2.7 Family Group Conferences

Contents

  1. About Family Group Conferences
  2. Referral Criteria for Family Group Conferences
  3. Referral Process for Family Group Conferences

1. About Family Group Conferences

Family Group Conferences (FGC's) bring together extended family and friends networks to make decisions and plans about children & young people. In a FGC the family become the decision makers; a key part of the FGC is private family time. Professionals provide the information and expertise to inform the family plan and resources to support it.  FGC's enable support of the parents in the care of their children, or where this is not possible the exploration of short or long term care within the extended family and friends network.

Research shows that families make plans that can be agreed by agencies and contribute well to the long term protection and care of children. An FGC should be considered in situations where there is any risk that a child or young person may enter the care system. FGC's can be particularly helpful where:

  • The extended family network is large and complicated – or is unknown to professionals;
  • Where the family have not previously wanted to work with professionals or to give them contact with extended family;
  • Where there are rifts or tensions within the extended family network that have made working together difficult.

The views of the child or young person are important in FGC's. In Brighton & Hove children and young people have the option of an independent advocate to help them present their views to the meeting if this is appropriate.

The Family Group Conference service in Brighton & Hove is provided by Daybreak Family Group Conference a voluntary agency contracted by the CYP Trust. The FGC service is therefore independent of statutory agencies and this can be important to some families.

More information about FGC's and the Brighton & Hove FGC service is available on the Daybreak website. Leaflets for families about FGC's should be available in your work place.

Further copies can be obtained by contacting Daybreak FGC on 023 80 69 66 44 or by emailing headoffice@daybreakfgc.org.uk.


2. Referral Criteria for Family Group Conferences

Family Group Conferences

Workers from any agency can refer a family for a Family Group Conference (FGC).

  • Where there is a child between 0 years & 18 years in the family';
  • Where there is a crisis or difficulty in the family which requires a decision to be made for a child in need';
  • Where your agency is prepared to support a family plan and provide some service as appropriate.

Family members and young people can also contact the project direct to ask for an FGC where the first two issues above apply.


3. Referral Process for Family Group Conferences

We aim to make it easy for professionals, family members and young people to make referrals for FGC's. If you are uncertain about whether or when an FGC can help with a family situation please contact Daybreak direct to discuss.

Referral forms are available on the Trust website or direct from Daybreak FGC on 023 80 69 66 44 or by emailing headoffice@daybreakfgc.org.uk.

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