Mollie
Mollie was 19 years old and heavily pregnant at the time her case was referred to Daybreak. She was living in a seaside town in a hostel, recommended by the local authority, for young homeless people. Sadly the behaviour of other residents was causing Mollie distress and fear.
Mollie left home as a teenager, and temporarily stayed with her paternal grandmother.
Shortly after living with her grandmother, Mollie left and started sofa-surfing. She became involved with people who were taking drugs. She later became pregnant, with her boyfriend Dave. Dave struggled with long-term mental health problems and was homeless.
The Family Group Conference was a relaxed, positive experience for everyone, because of the relationship that had been established with the Coordinator.
Their plan focused on establishing regular contact between Mollie and the rest of the family, and visits. It included letting family members know when Dave was struggling with his mental health, and how to provide support and safeguard against any future risks for all involved
Reconnecting family members was successful and Mollie and Dave now felt supported and cared for.
A Review took place three months later, by which time the baby, Emma, had been born. As a family, they were living in a mother-and-baby placement and Mollie was attending support group sessions. They also were participating in a parenting program and Dave was attending support sessions focusing on his mental health. All this had proved very beneficial. The couple had settled down into family life, and Emma was being well cared for and loved.
Family Group Conferences provide the opportunity for people to work together with their support network to establish a safe and sustainable way forward.