A Family Group Conference (FGC) is a meeting organised with families, to discuss & make decisions about a child or young person’s care. The meeting is facilitated by an independent & neutral FGC Coordinator, who will discuss & agree arrangements with the wider family network.

Family Group Conferences help families to come together to discuss issues and make a plan that will address concerns and benefit the family. They are effectively used within Children’s Social Care at all stages, from Early Help, Child in Need, Child Protection, Public Law Outline (PLO) and permanency planning.

A range of issues might be discussed at a FGC, including: safeguarding, substance misuse, domestic abuse and domestic violence, neglect, abuse, exploitation outside of the home – criminal or sexual, violence and safety outside of the home and mental health.

Feedback from many families suggests that the process can help family networks to feel empowered as they use their relationships and knowledge to make safe plans for their family. Through encouraging a family to address their own issues and create an informal network of support, it aims to build resilience and strengthen relationships.

Who for? Families of 0-18s

Who can refer? Social Worker

How to refer? Via Mosaic