{"id":37717,"date":"2026-08-29T09:22:46","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T08:22:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/?page_id=37717"},"modified":"2026-09-03T14:16:33","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T13:16:33","slug":"no-74-family-group-conference","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/safeguarding\/guidance-policy-and-tools-2\/safeguarding-one-minute-guides\/no-74-family-group-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"No. 74 Family Group Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-abed67cc wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column doc-aside is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#what-is-family-group-conference\">What is Family Group Conference?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#what-makes-fgc-different\">What makes FGC different?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#when-can-fgc-help\">When can FGC help?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#what-can-fgc-offer\">What can FGC offer?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#when-should-fgc-be-considered\">When should FGC be considered?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#why-offer-an-fgc\">Why offer an FGC?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#an-fgc-can-help-families-and-professionals-to\">An FGC can help families and professionals to:<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#useful-links\">Useful Links<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#fgc-locality-contacts\">FGC locality contacts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"document-download-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-6a99732ece6af\">\r\n\r\n\t\t<div class=\" dcc-documents-downloads hide-for-print\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><div class=\"content-container\"><div class=\"content-column download-copy\"><h2 class=\"dcc-documents-title\">Document resources<\/strong><\/h2><p class=\"dcc-documents-intro\">These files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"content-column download-button\"><ul class=\"dcc-documents-widget-dropdown dcc-documents-widget-menu\"><li class=\"dcc-documents-widget-is-dropdown\"><button class=\"button secondary dcc-documents-widget-noarrow dcc-documents-widget-button dcc-documents-widget-download-button\" >Download<\/button><ul id=\"\" class=\"dcc-documents-widget-vertical dcc-documents-widget-menu dcc-documents-widget-is-submenu\" data-disable-hover=\"true\" data-click-open=\"true\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:b:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/IQAo9uzcEIEzRLFjEjnNbhjJAfrQhjHz0wPtsMeO5AYqOBA?e=2cCP6n\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"dcc-documents-widget-text\"><span>No. 74 Family Group Conference (Document)<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"dcc-documents-cpt-fixed dccdocs-sticky dccdocs-hidden\">\r\n    <div class=\"grid-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x\">\r\n            <div class=\"cell medium-12\">\r\n                <a class=\"back-to-top hide-for-print\" href=\"#content\"><svg class=\"app-c-back-to-top__icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"13\" height=\"17\" viewBox=\"0 0 13 17\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M6.5 0L0 6.5 1.4 8l4-4v12.7h2V4l4.3 4L13 6.4z\"><\/path><\/svg> Contents<\/a>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column doc-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<article class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 id=\"what-is-family-group-conference\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Family Group Conference?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Family Group Conference (FGC) is a family-led, restorative approach that brings together children, family members, friends and other important people to make a plan when support or important decisions are needed for a child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">FGCs recognise that families know their relationships, strengths, culture and circumstances best. With clear information and the right support to take part, families are given private time to explore their options and develop their own plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-makes-fgc-different\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What makes FGC different?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An independent FGC Coordinator works alongside the child and family to prepare for the conference. They help identify who is important to the child and consider what everyone needs to participate safely and meaningfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The process is shaped around the family\u2019s relationships, culture, identity, communication needs and preferred ways of taking part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An FGC includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Preparation \u2013 the coordinator meets with the child, family and other important people.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Information sharing \u2013 professionals clearly explain strengths, concerns and what the plan needs to address.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Private family time \u2013 the family has space, without professionals present, to talk and develop its plan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The family plan \u2013 the plan is supported where it safely addresses the identified concerns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"when-can-fgc-help\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">When can FGC help?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consider an FGC early, and whenever an important plan or decision is needed for a child, including Child in Need or Child Protection planning, Pre-Proceedings (PLO), possible family breakdown or entry to care, reunification, and kinship or connected persons planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">FGCs can help strengthen family networks, identify safe family-led solutions and build shared understanding between families and professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-can-fgc-offer\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What can FGC offer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At its heart, an FGC creates an opportunity for families to be heard, children to be meaningfully involved and wider family networks to be part of finding a way forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It can lead to stronger support around a child, greater shared responsibility and plans that reflect both the child\u2019s needs and the family\u2019s own knowledge, relationships, culture and strengths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Family Group Conferences ask a simple but important question:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Who matters to this child, and how can we bring those people together to help make a safe and sustainable plan?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"when-should-fgc-be-considered\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">When should FGC be considered?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An FGC can be helpful whenever an important decision or plan is needed for a child. This may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Child in Need planning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Child Protection planning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pre-Proceedings (PLO)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Concerns about family relationships or possible family breakdown<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Situations where a child may enter care<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Family reunification<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kinship and connected persons planning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other significant decisions about a child\u2019s safety, wellbeing or future<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Think about an FGC early. Families do not need to have reached crisis point before their wider network is brought together.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"why-offer-an-fgc\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why offer an FGC?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">FGCs support Devon\u2019s commitment to relational and restorative practice by creating opportunities to work with families rather than making plans for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"an-fgc-can-help-families-and-professionals-to\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">An FGC can help families and professionals to:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bring together wider family and support networks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify safe and sustainable family-led solutions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthen relationships and sources of support<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Respond earlier when families are experiencing difficulties<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Explore family and network options where a child may otherwise enter care<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support reunification, permanence and safety planning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Build shared understanding between families and professionals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"useful-links\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Useful Links<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devonscp.org.uk\/document\/levels-of-need-framework\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Levels of Need framework:<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/educational-psychology\/relational-practice\/\">Relational practice &#8211; Support for schools and settings<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/childrens-social-care\/family-group-conference-plus\/\">Family Group Conference Plus &#8211; Children, families and education<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"fgc-locality-contacts\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FGC locality contacts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please contact us directly to discuss any queries, or if you would like to know more, at <a href=\"mailto:fgcplus@devon.gov.uk\">fgcplus@devon.gov.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Karen Ninnis- North and Mid FGC Team Manager <a href=\"mailto:karen.ninnis@devon.gov.uk\">karen.ninnis@devon.gov.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kelly Tanner- Exeter and East FGC Team Manager <a href=\"mailto:kelly.tanner@devon.gov.uk\">kelly.tanner@devon.gov.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alexandra Ryan- South and West FGC Team Manager <a href=\"mailto:alexandra.ryan@devon.gov.uk\">alexandra.ryan@devon.gov.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"document-meta-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-6a99732ece6f3\"><div class=\" dcc-documents-meta\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><p class=\"dcc-documents-published\"><span>Published<\/span> <time datetime=\"2026-08-29T09:22:46+00:00\">29\/08\/2026 9:22am<\/time><\/p><p class=\"dcc-documents-updated\"><span>Last Updated<\/span> <time datetime=\"2026-09-03T14:16:33+00:00\">03\/09\/2026 2:16pm<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-is-family-group-conference-1\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is Family Group Conference? A Family Group Conference (FGC) is a family-led, restorative approach that brings together children, family members, friends and other important [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2755,"featured_media":0,"parent":5639,"menu_order":71,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"longdocument-template.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-37717","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"updated":"","dccdocs_documents":[{"title":"No. 74 Family Group Conference","file":"","file_size":"","unit_type":"KB","file_type":"Document"}],"section-guidance":"","sections":null},"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-09-16 13:31:08","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37717","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2755"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37717"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37717\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37780,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37717\/revisions\/37780"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37717"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}