We are the charity in England and Wales that advises families whose children are involved with or need children’s services because of welfare needs or concerns.
We promote policies and practices, including family group conferences, that help children to be raised safely and securely within their families, and campaign for effective support to assist family and friends carers, including grandparents who are raising children that cannot live at home.
We have launched a major report following a 3 year study led by Joan Hunt, University of Oxford & ourselves on children raised in family and friends care. It finds conclusively that support is largely determined by whether the child is in the care system or not, rather than on their needs, or problems that they have or are facing.
8 national charities including Family Rights Group in early 2012 set up the Care Inquiry . The findings and recommendations of the Care Inquiry have now been published entitled “Making not Breaking: Building Relationships for our most vulnerable children”. Please follow this link to the full report and findings of the Care Inquiry and background documents.
We have now published our response to the DfE safeguarding guidance Working Together 2013 which will be in effect from 15th April. Whilst there are some improvements on the earlier draft guidance published last year, for example we welcome emphasis on early help and the need for a coherent, streamlined assessment of the needs of children and families, we have serious concerns...
that the guidance fails to explain why it is so important to work in partnership with the family to promote the wellbeing of and safeguard a child.
Moreover it makes no mention of fathers. Nor is there any reference to family group conferences, despite the importance of this approach in making safe plans for children and averting children unnecessarily entering care.
We can advise you if you are a parent, friend or relative and social workers are involved in your child’s life, or you need extra support from Children’s Services. We also have a parental advocacy project.
Contact us:
Call our advice line on: 0808 801 0366
Email us: advice@frg.org.uk.
Visit our: discussion boards.
Visit our: Need help and advice section.
© Family Rights Group 2007-2012, FRG Ltd. Registered in England: 2702928; Registered Charity No: 1015665
