Emma
Emma was 14 at the time of her referral to Daybreak and subject to an interim care order and living in local authority secure accommodation. She was known to be linked to an older man, Joe. He was 30 years old and in prison for assaulting Emma and for drug dealing. Joe had been grooming Emma, but she did not see his behaviour in that way, so his impending release was raising concerns with the family, and a strained relationship with Emma.
Emma struggled to engage with her social worker, and so Children’s Services were considering applying to the court for a full care order.
With Emma’s agreement, the Daybreak coordinator, Jenny, visited her in the secure accommodation and explained how a Family Group Conference could support her. This was the first time she had agreed to meet with another professional. Her key worker also supported Emma in the preparation period, helping her to think through her views, and what she wanted to say at the meeting.
Emma found the Family Group Conference to be an empowering experience for her, as she took control of writing up the plan to be presented in the final stages.
There was a review eight weeks later. The social worker reported that the plan was working and that Emma’s behaviour in the secure unit and in school was good. They shared that some family therapy for everyone was planned to start soon to improve relationships between all family members. It was agreed that Emma could go home in five weeks.
As a result of the Family Group Conference involving her wider family, Emma’s movement along the care continuum, which was likely to have led to a court application for a full care order, came to an abrupt halt. In fact, it was reversed. Moreover, the process was empowering for Emma and it enabled the family to find their own way to address what was a dangerous situation that could have become significantly worse.
The process that would lead to Emma returning to living at home again was on track for success.
Family Group Conferences provide the opportunity for people to work together with their support network to establish a safe and sustainable way forward.