UPCOMING EVENTS

In addition to commissioned courses, we are also running the following events and conferences.

If you are interested in going onto a mailing list, in order to keep in touch with what future events are being organised, then please email Kim Bryan on kbryan@frg.org.uk.

FORTHCOMING FAMILY RIGHTS GROUP SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES:

Family Group Conference accreditation - setting a benchmark for quality in Family Group Conference services 17th September 2009, 12- 4pm, Bristol

Cost: £120 (£90 for FRG members and FGC Network members) 

This seminar will examine how to set a benchmark for consistent quality in FGC services.  It will consider:- 

• The current provision of FGC services in England and Wales including variations in practice
• The results of an independent evaluation by Professor Peter Marsh, University of Sheffield of Family Rights Group/University of Chester’s postgraduate certificate in family group conferences
• The implications of different models of co-ordinator accreditation, including what’s happening internationally
• The desirability and feasibility of new ways to drive up and ensure consistent standards in FGC practice, e.g. ‘kite marketing’ of FGC services.

Who should attend?  Commissioners interested in developing FGC services, social work academics and researchers and policy makers, FGC managers and co-ordinators and professionals likely to use the FGC approach.

For further information click here

FORTHCOMING TRAINING:

Essential legal information for FGC Co-ordinators

A one day course designed for FGC Co-ordinators and FGC Service Managers who wish to increase their understanding on the legal and practice framework for convening FGCs.

7th July 2009, London

18th November 2009, London

Fathers Matter

A one day course designed for social workers, social work managers and FGC co-ordinators, drawing upon FRG's Fathers Matter research on obstacles to engagement of fathers by chidlren's social care and how and why this can best be addressed. 

13 July 2009, Leeds

Three day Family Group Conference training for new co-ordinators

14th, 15th and 16th September 2009, London

20th, 21st, 22nd October 2009, London

Updating your Practice and knowledge for Independent Reviewing Officers

14th October 2009, London

4th November 2009, London 

FUTURE TRAINING (dates to be announced)

For further information about any of the courses including dates and location as well as accredited Continual Professional Development hours for lawyers, barristers and social workers, contact kbryan@frg.org.uk

The cost of these one day courses are £150 (or £120 for FRG members and FGC Network Members)

Using Family Group Conferences (FGCs) in Youth Justice

A new one day practice course for FGC managers and co-ordinators and youth offending services wishing to introduce FGCs to address young offenders.  Trainers will include Sean Haresnape and Tana Thomas, FRG's FGC Policy Advisers who have significant experience in setting and managing FGC services includiing using FGCs in a youth justice arena.

Engaging children and young people and their families in Family Group Conferencing

This one day course will draw upon research and the practice skills and experience of the trainers to discuss how children and young people can be engaged in their FGC and in the FGC service.  The trainers will include Deanna Edwards, FRG's FGC policy adviser, who has significant experience of running a young people and families FGC service user group and a young person who attended an FGC and is involved in a user group.

Who should attend: FGC managers and co-ordinators who are running or developing an FGC service

Advocating in FGCs

This one day training course will explore the knowledge and skills required for advocates in FGCs including and the legal and practice framework in which they are operating, particularly when working with children who may be or become subject to care proceedings.

Who should attend: Anyone advocating for children or vulnerable adults in FGCs and FGC managers who employ advocates.

Introduction to child care law for voluntary sector workers and advocates

This is a one day introductory course for anyone whose job will include working with parents and children who are in need, or potentially at risk

Working with families: an introduction to child care law, practice and procedures for statutory workers

This is a one day introductory course for those working for local authorities

Professional family advocacy in Child Protection

The law and processes relating to child protection are complex. Supporting parents faced with this system can be
daunting for many reasons. This intermediate level course will look at when and how a local authority can be involved in the lives of families. It will consider the duties and responsibilities of children’s social care agencies. The course will also consider best
practice in providing parental advocacy. This course will help those providing parental advocacy to improve existing
practice, and help those who have not yet provided advocacy to prepare for this role.

Who should attend: Anyone advocating for parents who have involvement with children's social care services and will therefore be attending child protection conferences including MIND, MENCAP, voluntary sector drug and alcohol workers, as well as CAB advisers and others working in a community setting.

The trainers are experts in the field of child care law who will bring to the day their extensive experience in advising families. 

Advanced child care law and practice: working with families in the context of the public law outline

• examine the legal and practice framework for judicial and administrative decision making including
  recent case law and guidance
• To explore pratice dilemmas regarding partnership with families with particular attention to:
  · family support;
  · safeguarding procedures;
  · pre proceedings works with families;
  · family and friends care;
  · the interface between the Children Act 1989, Children Act 2004, Human Rights Act 1998, the
  Adoption and Children Act 2002 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008.

Who should attend: Soliticors, advocates, social workers, team managers and others workers who need an up to date understanding of the legal and practice framework for making decisions about children who are involved with children's services.  This is an advanced course.

2 day course - updating your Practice and knowledge for Independent Reviewing Officers

Assessment of family and friends carers

• messages from research about family and friends care
• the legal framework within which family and friends assessments are carried out including the potential impact of forthcoming new guidance
• factors which families may need to deal with taking on the care of a relative
• the differences between family and friends assessments and other types of family placement
  assessments
• different types of assessment, including Reg 38, fostering and special guardianship
• what factors should inform the recommendations, arising from an assessment

Family Rights Group has been working with a small number of local authorities to pilot a new template tailored to assess family and friends carers. Copies of the template and information about the pilot will be available.

Trainers: Bridget Lindley, Deputy Chief Executive, Principal Legal Adviser, FRG and David Roth, Policy Adviser Family and Friends Care, FRG

For more information on any of the above events please email kbryan@frg.org.uk.

Cancellation Policy: Please let us know in writing as soon as possible if you cannot attend an event on which you are booked. There will be no refunds for cancellations 8 working days or less prior to any event or if you fail to turn up on the day without notice. Substitutions may be made at any time at no extra cost.