FGC Network News and Developments
Free events on setting up and sustaining FGC services
Family Rights Group and the Office of Public Management are running a series of regional training events on behalf of the Department for Education for local authority senior managers on setting up, sustaining and developing family group conference services. The events also aim to raise awareness of the benefits of family group conference for children on the edge of care, and increase understanding of the model among family judges. The next regional event is on the 24th June in Birmingham. The regional events will be followed by a national conference on the 11th November 2010
“I can’t remember the last time I went to an event I got so much from, it’s almost a reinvigoration reminding me why I got into this work in the first place” - Senior children's services manager
To find out more click here.
Barn R, Das C and Sawyerr A (2010) Family Group Conference and Black and Minority Ethnic Families: A study of two community-based organisations in London.
In recognition of the low numbers of Black Minority Ethnic families (BME) receiving a Family Group Conferencing (FGC) service, Family Rights Group (FRG) entered into an active working partnership with two community-based organisations in London. The goal was to embed the FGC services within BME communities through voluntary organisations that had a presence in the community, were well known and could be in a position to deliver FGCs in a culturally sensitive manner. The project was funded by The Big Lottery. This new study is an evaluation report conducted by Professor Ravinder Barn and a research team from The Royal Holloway, University of London.
Please click here to download.
New report on the impact of the new court protocol on care proceedings on family group conference services
Report on the impact of the public law outline on family group conference services in England and Wales - summary and full report - by Family Rights Group in association with the University of Birmingham, funded by the Family Justice Council, November 2009
Has your FGC project been evaluated since 2006?
Have you produced a report about your project's performance or written an article about FGC developments?
Please email any reports/evaluations to cashley@frg.org.uk. Information will inform FRG's lobbying work and build up our research knowledge. It will also feed into an updated international bibliography which Kate Morris (University of Nottingham) is drawing up with Gale Burford and Joan Pennell.
It would also be very helpful if you could indicate whether you would be happy for the reports/articles to be posted on the FRG website.
The 13th World Conference of the International Institute for Restorative Practices
"Restorative Practices Across Disciplines"
Featuring Hull, UK, the World’s First Restorative City Hull, England, UK | October 13-15, 2010
The conference will spotlight the city of Hull, which is bringing restorative practices training to its 23,000 professionals and volunteers who work with children and young people. This international event will not only feature these accomplishments in the "world's first restorative city," but will include educationalists, social care and criminal justice professionals from many countries who, in small breakout sessions, will share their experiences in effectively using restorative practices. The conference will also screen a number of dramatic films showing the potential of restorative practices in education, criminal justice, social work and workplaces.
NEW GUIDE: Using Family Group Conferences for children who are, or may become, subject to public law proceedings, Oct 2008
Many thanks to all the FGC practitioners and managers who contributed to this new document. Written for Courts, Lawyers, CAFCASS and CAFCASS CYMRU officers and Child Care Practitioners, this ground breaking guide is endorsed by CAFCASS and the Family Justice Council. Click here to download. We hope you will find it helpful and welcome feedback.
Good practice guide on recording of information for FGC projects
Family Rights Group have produced the following document in consultation with the FGC Network. Please click here to download. If you have any feedback please contact Deanna Edwards on dedwards@frg.org.uk.