Family group conference (FGC) training

Family Rights Group is the leading provider of family group conference (FGC) training, since we introduced FGCs to the UK in the 1990s. Over 50% of FGC coordinators in the UK are trained by Family Rights Group.

A course for those with some knowledge of family group conferences and child welfare processes, who wish to increase their understanding and develop the necessary skills to coordinate a family group conference for a child.

Family group conferences are the gold standard of family group decision making (FGDM) methods, because families are supported to lead decisions to address concerns about their children’s welfare. Our family group conference training prepares you to deliver an approach which evidence shows works to safely avert children from the care system and remain in their family network.

Course objectives

• To understand the value of FGCs
• To understand the legal, policy and practice framework within which FGCs operate
• To develop a working knowledge of FGCs, including understanding the skills in preparing for the FGC, managing the meeting and the process that follows
• To develop the skills to coordinate a child welfare family group conference
• To recognise the complexities of family led decision-making and learn skills in managing these complexities and conflicts in families
• To understand the role of other professionals in the meeting
• To understand the issues involved in supporting children’s participation in the FGC process
• To be familiar with research findings in relation to FGCs and to be signposted for further information
• To enable participants to be aware of sources of support including the FGC & Lifelong Links Network.

Please note that Family Rights Group does not accredit individual practitioners. Our accreditation framework is applicable to family group conference services – see FGC accreditation.

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Courses are delivered online, over four days, by two expert trainers with contributions from family members with lived experience.

Upcoming course dates

Each course will be run over four days between 10.00 and 14.30 each day. The total cost is £550.

• 10,11 and 17,18 November 2025 FULLY BOOKED

2026 course dates will be available to book on the website shortly.

August 2025