What is it like being a Family Group Conference Coordinator?

A few weeks ago, Daybreak’s Communications team had an opportunity to put some questions to Charlotte, one of our charity’s Programme Managers. Charlotte worked as a Family Group Conference coordinator for several years, before coming to manage Daybreak’s Portsmouth & Reading program, and now our Wiltshire programs. As someone who both coordinates Conferences and manages, she is one of the best people to talk to gain a better understanding of what Daybreak does - and why it is important.

Q: Before joining Daybreak, what were your career ambitions? Did you ever imagine that you would be supporting families through Family Group Conferences?

A: I have always enjoyed working with children. Before training as a Family Group Conference Coordinator, I worked as an advocate supporting children and young people to have a voice in all meetings that concerned them. I am truly passionate about ensuring that children are able to have a voice which led to my interest in Family Group Conferences, especially given Daybreak’s ethos of keeping children at the centre of the process.

Q: In your own words, how would you describe what you do?

A: I absolutely love working with children and families as a Family Group Conference Coordinator, it gives families an opportunity to have a voice and come up with their own plans that work for them. Being able to bring families together is very rewarding. Often, we hear from families that they spend a lot of time together but do not have the conversation they were able to have at their Family Group Conference.

We are giving parents and families the chance to be creative and demonstrate what they can do to keep their children safe.  These meetings are not about judgement but about giving families the knowledge they need to be able to address the worries of Children’s Social Care in a way that is achievable to them.

We listen to families and provide a comfortable and neutral environment to have difficult conversations.

Q: How does performing the role of a Family Group Conference Coordinator make you feel? Why do you enjoy it?

A: I really enjoy meeting with children and young people and getting them involved in the meeting preparation so that they feel part of the process.

It is very rewarding when families come up with a strong plan at the end of the process. When families thank you for the work you have done it is a great feeling, however, I always tell families it is them that have done all the hard work. I just gave them the opportunity and created a safe space for them to do so.

When you meet families again to review their plan and things are going well for them it is a really fulfilling feeling.

Q: What are the most challenging aspects of the role?

A: Family dynamics can be difficult, so the role is about being creative. We always need to make sure that we are risk-assessing at each stage of the process. Consideration of everyone’s own commitments and calendars can also be a challenge at times. Ensuring that everyone understands the benefits can be difficult, however, the value and impact of holding a Family Group Conference outweighs the challenges when you are able to bring everyone together.

Q: What are the most fulfilling aspects of the role?

A: Giving the child and everyone at the meeting a real voice in making decisions that affect them.

Q: What kind of attitude would you say someone needs to be an effective FGC Coordinator?

A: Be open, honest, and creative in the way you work.

Q: In your own words, why do you think the role is important?

A: Family Group Conferencing champions the ethos around ‘working with’ not ‘doing to’. It provides a safe space for families to come up with their own plans to keep their children safe. Family Group Conferences are about moving forward, and looking to the future. There is no blame. It gives families the chance to think about what we can do now.

Q: What would you say to someone who is considering applying to be a Family Group Conference coordinator?

A: If you enjoy working with children and families, this is the role for you. If you want to help people and give them the opportunity to have a voice and make positive changes, this is the role for you. If you take satisfaction in creating safe spaces for children and families and seeing them address the challenges they face, this is the role for you. It is an extremely flexible role, it isn’t your normal 9-5 and can fit in well around other commitments.

Q: How would you describe the impact that you have?

A: Some of the Family Group Conferences I have facilitated have led to participants taking actions that have enabled children to stay within their family networks, giving these families a second chance. Sometimes an FGC is the first time a child has had the opportunity to tell all their family members what life is like for them and how it can be better.

Q: What 3 words come to mind when you think of your role?

A: Rewarding, Creative, Diverse –  no one meeting or family is the same

We certainly found Charlotte’s insights fascinating, and we hope you did too. If you have any other questions about Daybreak, Family Group Conferences, or the Coordinator role, feel free to contact us at headoffice@daybreakfgc.org.uk. If our work sounds useful or interesting, please also consider following our social media. We are active on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, and we can promise to brighten up your feed with regular updates about our work, valuable information about Family Group Conferences, and fun puzzles.

For information on becoming a Family Group Conference Coordinator or joining our team, visit our Career pages.