Why have a Family Group Conference?

All families have problems from time to time, and sometimes need help to sort them out.

A Family Group Conference meeting is a way of getting your family together to make some decisions and find a way forward.

When could a FGC meeting help?

Many situations including:

• When a child or other family member is at risk.
• When decisions need to be made about where a child or other family member should live.
• When the family need help to cope better.
• When someone needs support to live a safe and independent life.

What makes a Family Group Conference meeting different?

This is your meeting. You and your family make the plan that affects your lives, supported by appropriate agencies.

You will be given all the information you need to help you decide what would work best for your family, and what help you need from others.

An independent coordinator will work with you to help you throughout the process.

How is the FGC meeting arranged?

An independent coordinator will visit you to explain how the FGC works and help you decide who should be invited, and when and where the meeting will be held. The coordinator will prepare everyone for the meeting and try to ensure that everyone can attend and have their views heard.

What Next?

For the plan to succeed, everyone needs to work together. The coordinator will make sure everyone gets a copy of your plan, and will arrange a follow-up meeting, normally within 3 months. At the follow up meeting everyone comes back together to check that the plan is working, and decide if anything else needs to be done.