Should a child in need assessment and plan involve family and friends?

Wider family and friends are an important resource. A child in need assessment should look at what family and friends can offer. Any support available could form part of the child in need plan.

A family group conference can be a good way to find out how family and friends can help. A family group conference is sometimes called a family group meeting. It is a family-led planning meeting. It brings together the whole family, and others who are important to the child. Together they make a plan for the child. The ‘family plan’ is developed in the conference.

See our family group conferences: advice for families page for further information.