Family Group Conferencing an inclusiveness and empowering process Presenters Jenny Lang Marion Barnett Enda Cotter

BACKGROUND to Family Group Conferencing BACKGROUND to Family Group Conferencing Universal applicability in many other countries and is presently used in juvenile justice, child protection & educational systems Instituted in New Zealand in 1989 due to over representation of Maori children in child welfare & juvenile justice systems Based on the principles of restorative justice, FGC promotes and enables a child centred family focussed approach

The YFS approach to Family Group Conference includes;  Social Justice  Human rights  Family centred and strengths orientated  Child and young person inclusive  Culturally based  Community based Family Group Conferencing is an innovative approach to working with families. The FGC process aims to engage and empower families to make decisions that will protect and care for their children as well as maintain children’s contact with their family and extended family.

To date 70 referrals have been received with 52 conferences being completed Participants have included Over 400 family and extended family members 285 Professionals And importantly the views and participation of 161 children/young people Families referred to YFS’s FGC service have been identified from a number of cultural backgrounds including: Indigenous Australian, English/Australian, Samoan, Romanian, Spanish, Cook Island, Torres Strait Islander families

Definition of FGC Family based decision making process where families are actively involved in making plans for the future of a child after serious concerns have been raised in relation to their care and protection. Definition of Family In the context of FGC “Family” is broadly defined as the immediate family, extended family, significant others and cultural community of the child

Child Centred Family Focussed Principles Working in partnership with families to enhance family strengths Ensuring the safety of child/ren Generally in the child’s best interests to be cared for within the family group, where this is not possible significant links are maintained within the family group

DECISION MAKING COULD BE ABOUT... Where the child/ren are to live How the family can be supported in caring for the child/ren What family members can provide that will ensure the safety & well being of the child/ren Recognised entities undertake two key functions in providing the department with cultural and family advice and promoting the best interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children: 1. to be involved in decisions about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children made by the Department of Child Safety; and 2. to support and provide information to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to help them understand the purpose and impact of the statutory child protection process.

Who attends FGC The child and their advocate The child’s immediate & extended family The families significant others Community or cultural members Support person/s for family members Service provider professionals working with or the family Resource professionals who may work with the family and/or provide information DChS - Child Safety Officer Conference Facilitator/s

PROCESS DIAGRAM 1. Referral 2. Conference Preparation 3. Conference * Introduction * Information Giving * Family Private Time * Plan Confirmation * Closing 4. Post Conference 5. Conference Review

FGC Process Phase 1 - Referral & Intake  CSO discusses with CSSC Key Contact  Referral discussed with family & forwarded to YFS facilitators – Marion Barnett, Jenny Lang & Enda Cotter  On completion of an Induction Meeting with the key family members facilitators proceed with preparation of FGC

Phase II - Conference Preparation  Facilitator contacts family members to;  invite to conference  identify other members to invite  explain FGC process, purpose & goals  gain insight & information from members  Family members are supported to identify  the families strengths, concerns & needs  decisions that need to be made  who in the family has something to offer  who in the family can assist in decision making  what information, resources & support is needed to develop & implement a plan

Phase II - Conference Preparation Cont. Facilitator works with professionals to;  explain FGC process, purpose & goals  discuss involvement & role  discuss protective safety issues  identify information & resources they can offer  ensure contributions are meaningful & relevant in supporting decision making & implementation of the plan  define bottom lines to assist with decision making

Phase III - Family Group Conference Stage 1 Introductions - “Who are we?” The Facilitator welcomes and introduces family members and professionals. Participants are introduced to each other in terms of their relationship to the child /ren Stage 2 Information giving - “Why are we here?” Family is given all relevant information by professionals involved and by the CSO to assist them with decision making. Bottom lines are presented by the Team Leader. The family has the opportunity to clarify any of the information presented.

Phase III - Family Group Conference Cont. Stage 4 Stage 3 Private Family Time - “What are we going to do?” The Facilitator and professionals leave the family to plan in private The family deliberate on the information given and formulate their family plan

Phase III - Family Group Conference Cont. Stage 4 Plan Presentation & Fine Tuning The plan is presented to the meeting, discussed and agreed upon. The Team Leader and CSO ensures the plan meets the safety needs of the child There should not be room for dispute if the bottom lines clearly discussed with the family before hand The only valid reason for not agreeing on the plan is the risk of significant harm to the child/ren Stage 5 Closing

Phase IV - Post Conference Facilitator will present a report to the CSSC including; process & content of the conference logistics, resources & statistics participant evaluations of the conference Phase V - Review Facilitator will present the findings received from the family during a family meeting held by the DChS, 6 months after the conference