1.8.1 Family Group Conference Referral Procedure

Introduction
The FGC Coordinator's Role
Circumstances where a Family Group Conference Should be Considered
Process
Practice Issues

1. Introduction

A Family Group Conference (FGC) is a decision-making meeting. It is arranged and run by a Family Group Conference Coordinator.

'Family' is defined broadly, to include the child, parents,those with Parental Responsibility, extended family and significant others. At the FGC, the family will be given 'private planning time' to produce their plan for the care of the child /children

FGC's are based on the principles of partnership as defined in the Children Act 1989. They are a means of enabling families to find solutions to their own difficulties within a professionally supportive framework. The process aims to make use of the family's strengths and resources, and seeks to respect each family's own values and culture.

Working Together to Safeguard Children (2010) supports FGC's as a positive option for planning services for children and their families.

While it is recognised that families are currently offered packages of support and care, experience has concluded that it is the process of the FGC that makes a difference to the outcome, i.e. families feeling empowered if in control of the decisions.

When discussing this model with a family, the social worker will need to be clear that the FGC Coordinator will contact all key family members and invite them to the Family Group Conference. Parents or care givers cannot select which family members are invited or informed. This is to challenge any collusion there may be within the family system. If the parent/parents cannot agree to this, the Family Group Conference cannot proceed.

The parent/s and/or those with Parental Responsibility will need to consent to share information openly at the FGC; this is done with the use of a report, which will include the reasons for the meeting, what the social worker is concerned about, what the child's needs are, what resources could be available to the family and the non-negotiable position (the 'bottom line' should the family not be able to plan). Without the family's consent to share this report and the information within it, the FGC cannot proceed.

2. The FGC Coordinator's Role

The FGC Coordinator's role is to meet with child and family and map out who is 'significant to them', (NB 'family' is used in the wider context of the word). The FGC Coordinator will help facilitate a family meeting, which will involve the Coordinator, social worker, and possibly other professionals who hold relevant information. They will organise the venue and agree dates with the family and the professionals. They will ensure the family understands the cause for concern via the report, and the purpose of the meeting. They will ask the referrer to explain to the family what the main issues of concern are and, in social worker referred cases, what constitutes unacceptable care of the child in child protection cases and the actions that will be taken if the child continues to be placed at risk of Significant Harm.

The Independence of the Coordinator allows successful participation, as throughout the process they remain independent of any case management issues and work within their clearly defined role.

3. Circumstances where a Family Group Conference Should be Considered

Children's Social Workers

Where children are being considered as in need of accommodation or are at risk of becoming Accommodated
At any point when a child is already Looked After, where it is felt that through an FGC, a suitable family plan could be developed to enable the child to return to their family network.

4. Process

Leaflets about the FGC model should be left with families. (Leaflets are available from the FGC service at Greystone Passage)
If considered appropriate by the social worker and their manager, the family will have the process fully explained to them with reference to the leaflet. The social worker will answer any questions that arise. Consultation from the FGC Service is available to support social workers in this. A joint home visit to the family to explain the process can be requested by the social worker.
Where there is agreement, the social worker should contact the FGC Service to discuss/make referral.
If a referral is accepted in principle, the social worker should complete the referral form making clear the required timescales,
Issues of race/culture/language/religion must be clearly addressed by the social worker and the FGC Co-ordinator.
Upon receipt of the referral the FGC Coordinator will contact the social worker and arrange an initial meeting with him/her and their manager. The social worker will clarify areas to be addressed, e.g.
- specific areas of risk,
- how the Coordinator is to be introduced to the family or the child,
- the means of ongoing communication throughout the Family Group Conference process,
- a clear breakdown of each professional's role and responsibilities.
  
  This is called 'a three way meeting', and the FGC Service will make notes and
A clear, jargon free report will be written highlighting the main issues for the family to consider, what resources there are, and what is deemed non-negotiable by the social worker. This report will be written following the 'three way meeting' (described above) and the contents must be shared with persons with Parental Responsibility or young people if Gillick Competent, and they must agree to the Family Group Conference Service, sharing the report with people invited to the meeting.
The FGC Coordinator should, on his/her introduction, make it clear to the family that the family plan will need to be approved by the child's social worker.

During the process any issues brought to the FGC Coordinator's attention by the family requiring a decision will be passed back to the social worker for action/decision. If during the Coordinator's contact with the family he/she identifies any child protection issues, these must be taken back immediately to the social worker for action/decision.

In Care Proceedings if any alternative family member is offering to care for a child, this proposed placement would need to be fully assessed with reference to the Family and Friends (Connected Persons) Fostering Procedure. The social worker has responsibility to organise any such assessment

5. Practice Issues

The family must fully understand the process they are considering, including information about confidentiality, child protection, previous criminal convictions and what support services may be available.
The carers/family and practitioners must fully appreciate and be clear that family plans must address identified issues of risk, i.e. the outcome must be that child/ren are safe and not likely to suffer future Significant Harm, if the family plan is to be accepted.
Carers and children must agree to the above and the referral being made.
Social workers must inform relevant professionals that a referral is being made, and that they may be expected to undertake a presentation and the FGC Coordinator may contact them. (Leaflets for professionals explaining the process and their role within it are available on request from the FGC service.)
Social workers must be clear with families what the purpose of the FGC is; what is non-negotiable in relation to their service's view for the child and the consequences which will occur should the family not be able to meet the 'bottom line', e.g. families need to know if an application for Care Proceedings will be considered if no change is able to be made within the family.
All social workers must remain child-focused. A child who is of sufficient age and understanding to grasp the central premise of the FGC process must be given a voice. Where there is conflict between carers and children about a referral to FGC there must be a period of consultation/mediation in an attempt to reach consensus. Where this fails and a child is Looked After, legal procedures may need to be considered and legal advice sought, i.e. it may be possible through the use of legal means for an FGC to be held which involves significant people in the child's life but perhaps not the parents.
In the above unusual circumstances, carers must be encouraged to contribute and should be enabled to do so e.g. by video, letter, tape, telephone or video conference facility.
Any family member offering alternative care to a child will need to be assessed, this is part of the case management and is the responsibility of the social worker.

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