Family group conferencing

Communication is the key for families to get through the most difficult times. That's why our family group conferences bring families together to talk through the issues they are experiencing.

In a neutral setting and with professional support, families make important decisions and plan how they will support their child, and each other, in the future. This could be during a time of conflict, or where there is problematic behaviour or an important decision to be made about a child or young person's life. As always, the focus is firmly on the welfare of the child.

Sharing responsibility

Our family group conferences combine the knowledge and expertise of families and professionals. They let families make their own decisions and create their own support plan . They make sure power and responsibility are more evenly shared between the family/community and professional/agency networks. And they strengthen family relationships, respecting each family's individual cultural beliefs. That's why they really work.

We offer family group conferencing to address the following issues:

  • divorce, seperation or bereavement
  • education
  • rehabilitation of children who have been looked after
  • requests for accommodation
  • addressing anti-social behaviour
  • addressing domestic violence
  • children with disabilities
  • youth justice (victims are also invited to attend the meeting, with a supporter if desired, and the action plan often contains an element of reparation)
  • child protection