CYP Now - Family conferences 'not run well enough' to stop children entering care

Family group conferences (FGCs) may not be run "consistently well enough" to reduce the number of children coming into care, states a social care practice report.

There is little evidence to show family group conferences are effective in keeping children out of care. Picture: Adobe Stock

The What Works for Children’s Social Care report states there is a “lack of high-quality" evidence that involving families and social workers together in such meetings can reduce the risk of children entering, or being re-entered into, the care system.

While family conferences and other shared decision making meetings lack evidence of success they have the potential to be effective in offering a cost-effective way to reducing the number of children in care, says the report.

But councils need to do more to ensure families’ involvement is effectively reducing the care population.

In addition, only a small number of studies of such conferences and meetings measured the families’ sense of satisfaction and empowerment.

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