Family Group Conferences for Children & Young People

Bringing together your support network to help you resolve challenges

For those working with families, please visit our Professional’s Hub.

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. The support network can include both close and extended family, friends, colleagues and members of the local community.

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 FGC is aiming to help, are able to share their wishes.

When would someone have a Family Group Conference?

All families have challenges. Family Group Conferences can be used in a wide range of situations. For example, finding a way forward after a family conflict or separation or managing concerns around school behaviour. Or in situations where safety is a concern, such as youth offending, substance abuse or domestic violence. A Family Group Conference is useful to resolve a challenge with a proactive plan.

Daybreak currently provides Family Group Conferences by:

  • Working alongside Local Authorities receiving referrals for families with children at the edge of care. As part of this, a Social Worker can refer a family to Daybreak. An Independent Co-ordinator works alongside a family to facilitate the conference. We offer this in Portsmouth, Reading, Wiltshire, Bromley and Hackney currently.

  • Through our Dragonfly - Moving Forward Together project, which sees us flexibly utilise the model to provide support for families as a form of early intervention. This is currently in Portsmouth only.

  • We also offer a private-purchase service for anyone looking for support without a funded referral. To find out more, please complete a short enquiry form, and a member of the Daybreak team will get in touch to talk through your options.

“It now means that we are on the same page and know what is expected of us in the future - so it will be easier for us to move forward”

More information

  • It was good to sit and talk about what is needed and what can be done going forward.

    Family & Friend

  • I think it will be the start of a new future.

    Family & Friend

  • Now we have a plan, I think everyone is happier.

    Family & Friend

  • I think it gives us a fresh start and a good structured plan for the future.

    Family & Friend

  • Having all grandparents present really helped. We could all talk freely together and get our points across.

    Grandparent

  • Thank you for being so helpful and listening to each of us on our own.

    Family & Friend

  • Very helpful programme as family closer than before - things are working really well.

    Family & Friend

  • Having the meeting has given the family a better understanding of whats going on, and they feel supported by family and friends.

    Family & Friend