What is a Family Group Conference?

Most of our work involves hosting a Family Group Conference for families. This article explains more about what a Family Group Conference is.

A Family Group Conference - or FGC - is an opportunity to bring a support network together. The group works together to create a safe plan of action to help resolve challenges. They are able to discuss different options and agree together what will work for them. Everyone can speak and share their views. If the Family Group Conference is there to help a child, they can share their feelings too.

How does the Family Group Conference happen?

Most of the time, a professional refers a family to Daybreak for a Family Group Conference. This might be because of concerns around a child’s safety. Or because someone needs more support to cope with a particular situation. They will have spoken to the family or person before they make a referral. If a referral is from Children’s Social Services, it might be a Social Worker. If the referral is from a hospital, it might be the Discharge Team or medical staff.

Independent Family Group Conference Coordinators work alongside a family or person. They are Independent because they are not linked to the organisation that has asked for the work. They are there to guide the family group. They won’t tell the family group what to do or what decisions to make. They will everyone involved to make sure everyone understands what is happening, including the person who asked for the Family Group Conference.

The Coordinator will talk to the key family members. This might be the parents of the child or an adult who needs support. They will help decide who could come along to the Family Group Conference. These people are people that are known and trusted. They might be able to offer practical support or good ideas. People often invite family, friends, neighbours, and colleagues. They can also invite community organisations that they use. Professionals can also be invited. The person who asked for the Family Group Conference will also be there.

The Coordinator will speak to these people. They will ask if they can attend and help them prepare. The Coordinator will organise any support people need. This can include an Advocate. Advocates help people share their views.

With the Coordinator’s help, the family will decide on when and where to hold the Family Group Conference. The Coordinator will invite everyone along.

What happens at the Family Group Conference?

The Family Group Conference happens in three sections.

The first part is called Information Sharing. Everyone has the chance to better understand the situation. Professionals are there to provide information to the group. This might include their concerns, but also what they can offer to support people. The family group can ask any questions that they have. They discuss the situation and the questions that the family needs to answer to create a safe plan. For example, who would support a child in the instance of a parent being unwell.

The second part is called Private Family Time. The family group is able to discuss the plan privately. This means that none of the professionals are there at this point. During this time, the family group needs to discuss the questions. From this, they can come up with a plan of action that helps keep everyone safe.

The third part is called Agreeing the Plan. The family presents their plan to the Coordinator and the person who referred them. The Coordinator may ask questions about the plan, for example, when will an action take plan. This is to make sure that the plan is strong. Sometimes, the person who asked for the Family Group Conference needs to approve the plan. This might be due to safety concerns, for example, if a referral is from Children’s Social Services.

If needed, the family can have more Private Family Time. This can help improve the plan or respond to the questions asked.

What happens after the Family Group Conference?

After the Family Group Conference, the Coordinator will send the family group copies of the plan. They will be able to start putting it into place. At the Conference, they will ask someone to keep an eye on how well the plan is working. This person is called a Monitor.

Often, a Review meeting will happen. This can take place around three months after the first meeting. It is a good opportunity to reflect, celebrate and improve the plan.

What makes a Family Group Conference different?

• It is independent. Our Coordinators are neutral. They are not from a professional body. They aim to empower a family to create their own solutions.

• They are family-led. The process is voluntary. The key decisions about the Conference are made by the family. The family agrees the plan together using information from professionals to help them.

• Everyone’s voices are heard. The process allows for everyone to have the chance to share their views. Children, young people or individuals who the Family Group Conference is aiming to help, are able to share their wishes.

Family Group Conferences are used in a wide range of situations. A Family Group Conference is useful to resolve a challenge with a proactive plan.

Often, they are used in times of crisis or risk. Daybreak currently works alongside Local Authorities receiving referrals for families with children at the edge of care. We also work in partnership with community organisations for individuals facing other challenges.