child protection plan

[tanker7]

what dose this mean and what are the implications the referring social worker did not attend the FGC and the FGC was not agreed by the referring social worker?

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear tanker,

I think from your post that you are asking about a family group conference. A family group conference (FGC) is a family-led decision-making meeting. It brings together the whole family, and others who are important to the child. Together, at the family group conference, they make a plan for the child.

The process starts by a family being referred to a local family group conference service. The person who makes the referral is the ‘referrer’. In this case, it appears that the social worker did the referral.

A key part of the information provided by the referrer and any other practitioners is about challenges they think need addressing. The coordinator meets with these practitioners to make sure they are:

- Well prepared to give clear information to the family
- Ready to share any ‘bottom line’ conditions for keeping the child safe and well-cared for.

Many family group conference services will insist that the referrer provides this information in writing for the family before the family group conference. This helps the family to begin thinking about the issues beforehand.

The referrer should attend the conference and at the beginning, should share information about why the conference is being held. They should also make clear the challenges that need to be address and the 'bottom line' of what must be addressed. The family should have the chance to ask the referrer any questions. The family will then have private family time to discuss and agree the plan. The referrer is then asked if they agree to the family plan - they should agree the plan as long as it is legal, safe and addresses the 'bottom line.'

Any local family group conference service should provide families with written information about the service. This should include details of the standards the service applies when working with families. If this information is not shared the independent coordinator can be asked for it.

Family Rights Group administers a national standards framework for family group conference services. This framework sets out standards for how family group conference:

- Services should operate
- Coordinators are trained
- Coordinators are managed.

This is currently a voluntary scheme. Family group conference services that have met these standards (‘accredited services’) will have a particular logo. Families can ask their local service if it is accredited.

Full information about family group conference standards and accreditation is available here.

Any family group conference service should regularly seek the views of family members. They should take into account what families tell them in developing and providing the services.

The independent coordinator should share information about how to complain or provide feedback about the service. This information should usually be provided when the coordinator first meets with family members. If you were not provided with this information and are unhappy with the service you received, please speak to the coordinator about how you can make a complaint.

You can also read more about family group conferences on our webpage here.

Best wishes,

Suzie.