Presentation to the Support Care Conference Date : 21 st June 2010

1. Presentation to the Support Care Conference Date : 21st June 2010 Carlos Williams, FGC Deputy Manager/Co-ordinator

2. Working to promote & safeguard the welfare of children via the Family Group Conference process

3. FGC Manager Anne Barlow 3 Senior Co-ordinators Carlos Williams Hilary Cannon Surjit Bains Business Support Sam Parrott 5 Sessional Co-ordinators : Julie Clement Roger Davis Jo Masterton Jo Sanctuary Peter Thompson

4. A decision making process – where the wider family group makes decisions and plans. • Based on belief that given POWER ,INFORMATION & RESOURCES families can make safe, effective, realistic and lasting plans for their children.

5. The fundamental hypothesis of family group conferencing is disarmingly simple: Humans beings are happier, more co-operative and more likely to make positive changes in their behaviour when those in positions of authority do things with them rather thanto them or for them Ted Wachtel - 2004

6. Disproportionately high numbers of Maori children in the care of the State. Culturally inappropriate placements Institutional racism in child welfare system Children, Young People and their Families Act 1989. New Zealand

7. Introduced to UK in 1992 –Family Rights Group. Now widely used across UK and internationally. Fits well with; Children Act 1989 Children Act 2004 – agencies working together & involving families in partnership. Every Child Matters- national agenda Care Matters Public Law Outline 2008

8. Any local authority looking after a child shall make arrangements to enable that child to live with a member of his family, relative, friend or other person connected with him, unless to do so would be impractical or inconsistent with the child’s welfare Children Act 1989 (section 23 (6))

9. A process – not just a meeting

10. The FGC MODEL Referral Preparation The Conference Information Giving Private Family Time Clarifying the plan with family Presenting & agreeing plan with agencies Implementation of the plan Review of the plan

11. The meeting belongs to the family Family as the primary planning group Wide interpretation of “family” Role of agencies to share information , knowledge & resources Independent Co-ordinator facilitates the meeting

12. Key elements cont. Co-ordinator manages diversity Co-ordinator identifies advocacy needs Private Planning Time Family Plans accepted & supported by the agencies – criteria? Plans to be monitored & reviewed by family

13. Every family is unique. Use of family expertise . Culturally sensitive. Involving wider family & friends can make planning for children more effective. Redresses power imbalance between family & agencies. Children’s right to family life & involvement of family in planning for their future

14. Core Assessments & clear information to families about what needs to change. • ReduceCourtTime Scales – Prior to proceedings • Conflict resolution to prevent or narrow down the issues in proceedings. • Family & Friends as Carers (FFACs) considered & assessed. • PLO requires a ‘Family Meeting' - early FGC preferable

15. PLO Flowchart – Milton Keynes

17. Outcomes 2009 – in Care Proceedings 19 families involving 47 children 9 children placed with wider family 4 remain with parents 13 children – family members being assessed 21 no viable family carers

18. Outcomes 2009 – C.P. /PLO Avoided Care Proceedings: 7 families involving 11 children These children remain with parents no longer subject to Child Protection plans Other Family Court resolutions 3 children from 3 families -S.G.O’s to Grandparents 1 child residence order - Aunt 5 children from 2 families Parent Residence orders & contact

19. Thank you Any Questions?