When can a family group conference take place? Are there situations when family group conferences are commonly used?

Most families need some help and support in caring for their children. Often this is from other family members and friends. Some families may be receiving early help , such as therapeutic support, from a specialist agency.  Some may be involved with children’s services in some way. This might be as a child in need or the child protection processes.

A family group conference can be used when any decision needs to be made about any aspect of a child’s life. And the earlier a family group conference takes place, the more likely it can help to stop problems getting worse.

Families should be offered a review family group conference. And another family group conference can take place later, if helpful.

 Examples include:

• To create a plan to support parents struggling with raising a child
• When decisions need to be made about where a child is going to live if they cannot stay at home
• To agree contact with the family when a child is in care or being raised by a kinship carer
• When plans are being made for a young person about to leave care, or who has left the care system
• When there are difficulties with a child’s education.