Family Group Conferencing

(Managed by Medway Council)

Every Child Matters outcomes met:

• being healthy

• staying safe

• enjoying and achieving

• making a positive contribution

• economic wellbeing

A Family Group Conference is a decision making forum made up entirely of the extended family. They are used in a variety of situations in which a significant issue about a child needs to be resolved and plans made. A key aspect is the presentation to the family group by professionals involved with the child and private discussion time for the extended family, in which they come up with plans and proposals to present to
supporting professionals. Children are the primary focus of the FGC process and are the key informants
as to who should be present and involved. Children are present and have a major say in the devising and
agreement of plans for their future. Successful conferences avoid the need for expensive court cases; reduce re-referrals to children’s services and reduce the number of children in public care.

During 2007/8 Medway Council, working in partnership with Medway Mediation, ran a pilot project which has
demonstrated the benefits and cost-effectiveness of FGCs. This will now be embedded through the
children’s care teams and Medway Mediation.

In addition, 175 participants from a wide range of agencies including police, education, voluntary sector, health and social care attended the project’s seminars, to explore practical ways of helping families tackle
difficult decisions and support children in their family. For more information about FGCs visit www.frg.org.uk/index.asp.

Impact Evaluation(80KB)