Using family group conferences to enable family led decision making
Using family group conferences to enable family led decision making
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill 2025 requires local authorities to offer a Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) meeting to parents prior to an application being made for a care or supervision order. To give all families an opportunity to come together and make a plan in response to concerns regarding the child’s welfare.
Family Group Conferences (FGCs) are the gold standard of family group decision making approaches. They are internationally recognised and evaluated, with a set of clear principles. Join colleagues from Family Rights Group for upcoming workshops that will explore the principles and current use of FGCs in the UK.
Learning outcomes
As a result of taking part in this event, participants will:
- Develop their understanding of FGC process and key principles.
- Hear the views of those with lived experience of FGCs.
- Develop their understanding of the role of social care workforce in making FGCs effective.
- Consider how FGCs fit within wider children’s services work.
- Gain knowledge of the legal and practice context to FGC practice.
- Consider the research evidence concerning the outcomes of FGCs.
Audience Types
Practitioners
Social workers
Senior practitioners
Team leaders
Professional Standards
PQS:KSS - Relationships and effective direct work | Shaping and influencing the practice system
Using Family Group Conferences to enable family-led decision-making
How can families be supported to come together and make a plan for a child who is at risk of coming into care? One way of doing this is through a Family Group Conference.
Family group decision-making and the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
In this blog Susannah Bowyer explores the inclusion of family group decision-making in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. How can we make the most of the ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ this element of the Bill presents?
If the above event (or occurrence of an event) is displaying as 'Event Full' and you would like to be added to a waiting list, please email events@researchinpractice.org.uk detailing the required event title, event time and date.
We will contact you should places become available.