Global Gathering: Family Group Decision Making: A moment of opportunity in England

The new Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 requires English local authorities to offer families a family group decision making meeting prior to local authorities applying to the family court for a care order to remove a child. This follows decades of lobbying by the charity Family Rights Group and the findings from the largest randomised control trial of family group conferences, that they reduce the likelihood of a child entering or remaining in care.

In this session we will explore how we’ve made progress to date and the opportunity of achieving seismic change in how the child welfare system in England works with families, including how decisions are made, and by whom. We’ll also consider pitfalls to avoid. And consider why the picture is not all rosy. For example, the legislation doesn’t require that the offer is that of a family group conference and there’s a number of ‘get out clauses’ for local authorities.

Presenters:

• Cathy Ashley, Chief Executive, Family Rights Group
• Nicola Lines, FGC & Lifelong Links Practice Adviser

Date:

• Wednesday 7th October 5.45pm (GMT)

Find out more and register at the Global Gathering website.