Family Group Conferencing (FGC)
What is a Family Group Conference?
What are the Underlying Principles?
Family Group Conferencing in Coventry
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What is a Family Group Conference?
The Family Group Conferencing Service is based in the Safeguarding Children Service.
A Family Group Conference (FGC) is a process in which families can be enabled to meet together, to find solutions to problems that they and their children are facing, within a professionally supportive framework. The FGC process involves all family members, friends and other adults who the family feel can contribute to the plans for the children.
What are the Underlying Principles?
FGCs are based on the principle of working in partnership. This entails a shift of power from professionals to families:
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Families have more knowledge about themselves than professionals, which can lead them to make better decisions
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Families are unable to make good decisions about their children, provided they are given the opportunity and information to do so
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Family difficulties can be resolved by involving friends and extended family
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Families have the strongest potential and motivation to care for their own children
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Families provide identity and continuity for their children's future
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Families can make culturally sensitive plans
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Children are generally best looked after by their own families
Each Conference will have an independent co-ordinator who will meet with both the young person and the family before the conference and answer any questions they may have. (S)he will also discuss with the family who they want to attend, and agree where the meeting is held.
The co-ordinator will talk to the young person about how they would like to contribute to the meeting and whether (s)he would like an advocate to attend to assist him/her to put forward his/her views. The young person may also choose to contribute by other means if (s)he feels unable to attend the conference. The meeting will be made up of three parts:
The referrer and agencies explain to everyone what their concerns are and why, giving clear information regarding their available support.
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Family Group Conferencing in Coventry
In Coventry, Family Group Conferences have been developed as part of the children and young people's strategic partnership, to offer agencies a new approach to ensure that families and children remain at the centre of our assessment and planning.
In Coventry an FGC will be considered where a CAF (Common Assessment Framework), or initial assessment has been completed, and identified a child with complex needs who will have poor life chances if services are not co-ordinated.
A referral to the project will require:
- The existence of a network of family members
- The commitment of the family to develop a plan to address the concerns identified in the assessment
Referrals will not be considered where:
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There is a history of inter-generational sexual abuse
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There is a high risk of violence at the conference
Contacts
If you are working with a family who you consider would benefit from a Family Group Conference, for further information and a referral form please contact:
The Family Group Conference Manager(s)
Anne Daly
Tel: 024 7683 2699
email:anne.daly@coventry.gov.uk
Ann Clarkson
Tel: 024 7683 2699
email:ann.clarkson@coventry.gov.uk
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