Our Response to National Developments: Strengthening Families through Family Group Decision Making

Training
Written By Jessica Clasby-Monk

Over the past few months, we have been reflecting on the renewed Government-led focus on Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) within Children’s Social Care. As a charity working with families, communities and professionals over the past 26 years utilising Family Group Conferencing – a form of FGDM – we have taken time to liaise with our team and our external partners to better understand the varying opportunities that this creates; and important considerations that it presents. We therefore wanted to take the time to share with our wider community our view on the forthcoming changes, and how we, as a charity, are here to support.

In recent months, the Government has announced an increased focus on Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) within Children’s Social Care. This reflects a growing recognition that families should be supported to engage with their own networks to address concerns, risks or issues, together. The current emphasis sits primarily as part of the Children’s Wellbeing & School’s Bill and the Family First Partnership.

“The Government believe that creating a new legal duty for local authorities to offer family group decision-making meetings to families who are on the edge of care at pre-proceedings will bring consistency to the approach and will encourage a family-first culture. Unless there are exceptional circumstances in which the offer would not be in the best interests of the child, every family should be offered the opportunity to make a family-led plan when the local authority is seriously considering bringing care proceedings. Although the duty will make it mandatory to offer FGDM at the pre-proceedings stage, the government will encourage local authorities to also offer these meetings as early as possible in the child’s journey and repeat the offer as necessary to support a ‘family first’ culture.” Children’s Wellbeing & School’s Bill – Policy Summary

“Working Together and the National Framework set expectations for local areas to consider FGDM for a child and their family where they are receiving help, support or protection and also as a route to reunification with the birth parents or family network where appropriate. Where it is in the best interests of the child, local partnerships should ensure that the offer of FGDM is made as early as possible and repeat the offer as a child’s needs and the support they receive changes. Local partnerships should consider how they embed FGDM to support the principles of right support at the right time, effective multi-agency child protection intervention, to prevent children entering the care system where possible and to support successful reunification where this is appropriate.” Family First Partnership

At Daybreak, a charity established 26 years ago to support the development of Family Group Conferences (a form of FGDM) in the UK, we strongly welcome this focus on empowering families to take control of the decisions that affect their lives.

The Government’s desire for Children’s Social Care to offer access to FGDM throughout a family’s engagement with the system is a positive step forward. We believe no family should have to wait for a crisis to receive positive, empowering support from their networks or the professionals around them. That’s why we continue to develop early-intervention pathways outside of statutory services, such as through our flagship Dragonfly Project in Portsmouth. Overall, this renewed focus represents a shift towards greater shared responsibility and partnership working, reflective of the relational practice of working with, and not doing to.

“By enabling families to lead decision making, we aim to foster safety, stability and long-term wellbeing for children, young people and the adults around them. Empowering families to develop their own plans, at any stage, creates a positive environment for all. We therefore believe that Family Group Decision Making can play a pivotal role across the continuum of Children’s Social Care” – Claire Cooper, Director of Services at Daybreak

We recognise that the Government has intentionally not prescribed a specific model for FGDM, leaving room for innovation and tailored support: “It is a local authority’s decision to decide which model of family group decision making will best serve the families they support after considering the evidence.” (Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill – Policy Notes)

However, this raises important considerations for practitioners and decision-makers, nationwide. While we support the flexibility provided when the offer spans the continuum of family support, we feel strongly that all models of FGDM must be underpinned by shared values and principles that ensure consistency, safety, and fair process.

Our 10 core principles for Family Group Decision Making

We believe that any FGDM process should therefore adhere to the following values:

  • Voluntary process with fully informed consent, at every stage

  • Families lead on decisions that shape the process and the plan

  • The referred child or adult is always at the centre

  • Participants are supported to engage safely

  • Clear and appropriate information sharing to enable informed planning

  • No new safeguarding disclosures during the meeting itself

  • Coordinators/Facilitators are independent of decision-making authority for the family

  • Coordinators/Facilitators remain impartial and neutral throughout

  • Confidentiality and privacy are adhered to unless doing so would put someone at risk 

  • A strong commitment to equality, inclusion, and diversity; acknowledging the family’s culture and traditions as well as their knowledge and expertise of their unique situation

There are many ways to convene a family-group, however, not all adhere to the above values which we feel are defining qualities of FGDM, regardless of process or mechanism. Without these values and principles being adhered to, we cannot be sure that we are providing families with a fully empowering experience.

Flexible, needs-led approach

We acknowledge that FGDM can take different forms, with the shared goal of achieving the best outcomes for children and families. All forms must empower families through a strengths-based approach utilising open dialogue, inclusive questioning, and a consistent focus on the child’s safety and well-being. As an outcome, families will be able to devise positive, creative solutions that address the concerns and their needs.

At Daybreak, we advocate for two primary models to provide best practice for families:

  • Family Group Conferences (FGCs): Best suited to situations at Public Law Outline (PLO) - or at Child Protection (CP) where there are concerns it will progress to PLO - where the focus is in response to high-risk safeguarding concerns. In this environment, FGCs provide a structured, evidence-based approach with a clear process. They include the distinctive feature of Private Family Time, allowing families space to plan independently of professionals.

  • Family Network Meetings (FNMs): More appropriate in cases where the focus is capacity-building and problem-solving. FNMs support families to develop practical solutions, and while they can benefit from structure, they allow for greater flexibility and adaptability – and if needed, more facilitative support in conversations.

For families at the PLO stage - or, in some cases, CP - we strongly recommend the use of FGCs due to their clarity, safety, formal structure and evidence-base. These elements are particularly valuable to aid a fair-process for families when at a high level of risk, during legal proceedings, or when wider statutory decisions are being made for the family, and not with them.

Earlier in a family's journey, before PLO and especially at Early Help stages, there may be greater scope for flexibility. FNMs can provide this, should this be the process families select when fully informed of their options. In these instances, we welcome co-producing support with families in a way that respects their wishes and adapts to their needs and current situation - all while honouring the core principles stated above.

As providers for each model, we utilise the following key points of difference to processes:

Whilst the processes utilise the same values and principles and share many similarities – we do see them as distinct and therefore, they can be utilised differently in response to family risk, need and wishes.

Looking beyond policy

While we welcome the Government’s intention for innovation and flexibility, we caution against implementing FGDM in isolation. Workforce development and system-wide cultural shifts must sit alongside the implementation of FGDM offers. If we want families to expand their networks, feel empowered, and regain control over key decisions, we need robust, well-supported systems.

This includes:

  • Investment in training and upskilling of all roles – not just in process, but in the required ‘soft-skills’ that enable the process to be impactful

  • Clear frameworks to ensure neutrality and impartiality of Coordinators and Facilitators reflective of workforce planning decisions

  • Continuous evaluation and quality assurance to assess impact and learn from family experience and outcomes

We are pleased to be working alongside Mutual Ventures in a Department of Education funded initiative to develop best practice guidance and resources that will support national consistency. These tools should help local authorities and delivery partners assess their practice, but we recognise that guidance alone is not enough. It must be brought to life through high-quality training, embedded values and a culture of continuous improvement.

Our vision

At Daybreak, we believe families should be able to seek help and find solutions before statutory services become deeply involved – and after, if they do. FGDM offers a powerful opportunity to leave a legacy. It aids the development of lasting skills, strengthened support networks, and problem-solving that protects safety. By embedding these values and approaches, families are more able to independently be safe, move forward and thrive.

“The national policy landscape presents an impactful opportunity to embed Family Group Decision Making as a cornerstone of family support – at all stages. By investing in both quality and accessibility, and ensuring alignment with broader social care values, Local Authorities can offer families a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their lives. 

We are excited to be able to collaborate with Local Authorities in shaping a future where families are empowered, supported, and equipped to thrive.” – Debbie Burns, CEO at Daybreak

How we are helping

In addition to our existing training offer, we invite Local Authorities and delivery partners to work with us to help establish and strengthen their approach to delivering Family Group Decision Making across Children’s Social Care. We offer tailored training and consultancy packages designed to implement your organisation’s vision and respond to the unique needs of the communities that you serve.

To explore further, you can:

 

Jessica Clasby-Monk
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Webinar Series: Family Group Decision Making across Children and Families Services