Mark Whitehead 14 June 2023

'Family group conferencing' helps keep at-risk children out of care

Family group conferencing helps keep at-risk children out of care image
Image: fizkes / Shutterstock.com.

At-risk children who take part in 'family group conferencing' meetings are much less likely to go into care, a new study has found.

The research conducted by children's charity Coram also found that families referred for the meetings were less likely to be taken to court for decisions about their care.

Family group conferences are meetings led by family members to plan and make decisions for children who are at risk with the aim of creating and agreeing a plan to keep them safe.

The study, funded by Foundations – What Works Centre for Children & Families, was the first randomised controlled trial of the conferences to have been carried out in the UK.

It recommends that the conferences are provided for all families before care proceedings begin.

Coram chief executive Dr Carol Homden said: 'The study drew on the hard work of many hundreds of family members and professionals who took part.

'The insight gained will shape our understanding of how best to support families on the edge of the care system and could have a life-changing impact on generations of families to come.'

Foundations chief executive Dr Jo Casebourne said: 'We now have evidence that family group conferences, which empower families and children, have a higher success rate of keeping families together than going straight to care proceedings does.'

Sign up here to receive our free daily news and jobs bulletin.

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist

Oxfordshire County Council
£62215 - £72293
How about joining The Clinical Team at Oxfordshire County Council in our new Community Family Clinic initiative? Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Peripatetic Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£16,415.00 - £16,675.23 Grade 4, 24.5 hours, Permanent
Are you caring, compassionate, and friendly? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Peripatetic Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£14,070.00 - £14,293.05 Grade 4, 21 hours, Permanent
Are you caring, compassionate, and friendly? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Recruitment Support Officer

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) pay award pending
We are looking for a Recruitment Support Officer to join our team on a temporary basis until 31 March 2026. In this role, you will provide a comprehe Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner