Developing FGC Standards in Northern Ireland Mena Wilson Family Group Conference Forum Organiser (NI)

Objective This workshop will share our experience in Northern Ireland of working together to develop the standards; the process and challenges of this work and how the standards are being used by FGC services in their work.

Where We Are 3

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland is a small country. Part of the UK at 243, 610 sq Km, N Ireland is only 14,148 sq Km - just over a third of the size of the Netherlands N Ireland has a population of only 1.8 m (as compared to 2.7m in the city of Amsterdam).

FGC Services N Ireland is organised into 5 Health and Social Care Trusts Each Trust has a FGC Service Services in 4 Trust Areas are run in-house by an Independent Team within Social Services Voluntary Organisations run FGC Service in 2 Trust Areas. Since 2006 the Dept of Health in N Ireland has set “priority for action” targets for FGC – “that 500 children to have experienced an FGC each year”. Services have met and surpassed the target each year. Family Group Conference Forum(NI)

What was our thinking? Why have standards? What do we mean by standards? Things to consider when beginning…

Why do we need standards The standards have been developed to assist children, young people, adults and families as well as professionals both understand what a Family Group Conference is and what they can expect if involved in one. These standards identify the basic requirements that can be expected from a Family Group Conference.

Writing FGC Standards AudienceMarketCostsBudget Distribution Type and Style of documentShelf LifePracticalities Consultation required Internal & external What currently informs your FGC practice? What work has already been done? What resources do you already have? (people and information)

Process Initial thinking Workshop Leader and Working Group First Draft to select readership Second Draft for wider consultation Completion and Launch

Goals for the initial thinking workshop To examine the National FGC Standards for Scotland, and the way in which the document was produced and with what rationale, in order to discuss how the NI Forum might approach a similar task. To reach a general consensus as to what kind (if any) of Standards/Guidelines document would be appropriate for use nationally in NI. And within this discussion to consider the current Regional Guidance for FGC. To agree a strategy for work arising from today’s workshop e.g. working groups.

Workshop Followed the FGC format Decision to be made today?Why are we here?Goals Consensus Preparation/Why Scotland did itHow we did it Information SharingWhat we learned Look at the Standards Private Family TimeWhat are the chief points (+/-) that strike NI? What will NI take from this document? (Form & Content) What will NI do differently? (Form & Content) Family PlanFeedback/OpinionsConsensusDiscussion Ready to start writing own Standards Development PlanDirect work (small groups?) on getting started Completion of a working plan Monitor & ReviewHow?Who?Timescales?

Empowering Families: Regional Guidance on the provision of Family Group Conferences in HSS Trusts Children and Young People Services. July 2011

Referral Completed usually in 6 weeks however depends on individual family circumstances – Co-ordinator engages directly with child, family, extended family and friends and professionals. All prepared for FGC. Advocate offered to child/ vulnerable adult. 1. Information sharing by professionals 2. Private Family Time- voices of child and family members, discussion and agreements made. 3. Family Plan – actions and contingency plan agreed Family appoint a monitor from within family to be the Guardian of the plan and ensure all agreed actions are fulfilled by family and social services. Plan reviewed with family’s agreement at any time (usually 12 weeks ). Support and solutions are sought for any actions not fulfilled. Application form completed by social worker with consent of parent(s) gained. Case allocated to Independent FGC Co- ordinator Preparation Family Group Conference Implementation of the Plan Review of the Plan 4 THE FAMILY GROUP CONFERENCE PROCESS

Considerations Process Content Format

Process Required “Driver”/Leader to keep to time- scales Appropriately informed people in the workgroup Identification of target audience Consultation/other agency involvement with appropriate timing: who and when? Someone good to write/edit it Family and child involvement Challenges Expense Time required: very difficult to do a full time job and write this document – at risk of becoming an add-on

Content Required / Desirable Inviting presentation “Keep it simple” Reader friendly Accessible and well-signposted (consider colour coding) Children & Family views respectfully represented Cover as many scenarios as required Build on / reflect a strong practice base Look to other agencies for input Include legal and policy context including Care and Leaving Care Include Health and Safety e.g. for Lone workers Challenges Defining the document – is it solely Standards? Suggestion: “Principles, Standards and Procedures”, which includes ethos, outcome measurements and good practice guidelines Standards must be measurable

Format Required Consider amalgamating the document with existing Regional Guidance Different media/types of presentation need to be explored Challenges Cost Appropriate designer/publisher

Work plan Identify leadership: champion (driver) to keep the group and process on track, co-ordinate and organise it, and keep the vision Set the timescale Identify key participants- the right people with the right variety of skills who believe in the FGC model e.g. a Committee/Reference Group – for consistency and commitment Define who is the audience? This will define language and style etc Decide if this is a regional or national document? Identify a skilled writer, editor and proof-reader Establish wider contacts/groups etc for networking and input and link into key agencies/people e.g. Department, CEO’s, policy-makers Decide how best to identify key roles and gather other views

What would you consider the key standards for our work ?

Standards Standard one The FGC Service will provide a high quality service which works within the NI FGC Standards. Standard two The voice of the child/young person/vulnerable adult will be central to the FGC process and must be sought and heard at all stages of the process. Standard three Everyone participating in the FGC will be prepared and supported throughout the process. Standard four Families have a right to private family time within a safe and supportive environment in order to make decisions and plans. Standard five Families have the right to have safe plans agreed and resourced. Standard six Families have the right to be involved in the development of FGC Services.

Activity Consider your standard and what needs to be in place to meet it…

Contents of Standards Document One Introduction Two Key principles of the process Three Family Group Conference process Four Family Group Conference Standards

Challenges of the work Links to other guidance and policies Addressing potential range of application Inclusion of family feedback Focussed and time limited piece of work Launch and celebration of the work

How standards guide our work In accredited training programme-assignment links practice to the standards Managers use standards in supervision and team meetings Regional Guidance refers to it Next step – Baseline to evaluate practice Use in negotiations with Social Services –helps protect the model.

Mena Wilson Family Group Conference Co-ordinator