Using Family Group Conferencing within Adult Safeguarding
This week is National Adult Safeguarding Week. An opportunity for all those working within adult safeguarding and similar capacities to raise awareness of issues, and collectively come together and reflect on best practices and opportunities. The core theme for 2024 is Working in Partnership.
We wanted to take this opportunity to shine a spotlight on the role of Family Group Conferences (FGC) within Adult Safeguarding.
FGC is the ultimate partnership model. Congruent with the values of the Care Act, and the Mental Capacity Act, FGC’s ensure the client is central to decisions being made for them.
As a leading organisation delivering and developing FGC services for 25 years, Daybreak has worked with numerous Local Authorities providing Adult FGC services, and delivering Adult FGC Coordinator training. Whilst the role of the FGC in Adult Social Care is not yet as embedded as it is in within Children’s Social Care; their impact can be just as powerful.
What are FGCs?
FGCs bring together the client along with their family and broader support networks—including friends, relatives, and key community members—to develop sustainable, client/family-led plans that address their specific challenges.
The client along with their family/support network creates and owns these plans, increasing engagement and the likelihood of long-term success. Relevant professionals are involved to ensure the client, and their support network, understand why the referral was made, what the concerns are, what support their services can offer, as well as what resources might be available.
FGCs are guided by three core principles: voluntary participation, client-led decision-making, and elevating the client’s voice, all whilst promoting partnership working.
FGCs aim to:
Empower individual voices, especially the client who the FGC is seeking to support, placing their needs at the heart of the process
Engage people with their support network to address challenges collaboratively and proactively
Help networks identify and align on the challenges they face, building a shared understanding of risks
Enable networks to develop safe, realistic, and sustainable plans, improving the client’s well-being and safety often drawing from their own practical, emotional and safety resources
FGCs bring the client together with their chosen network, create an environment for open conversation, and empower networks to lead on decision-making with much less professional input than they might be used to. Ultimately, this leads to a sustained support system, with the ability to problem-solve and create solutions.
How are FGCs utilised?
We have seen FGCs utilised for adults in situations of domestic violence, elder abuse and when there have been concerns around neglect – and we are currently developing a pilot supporting adults when being discharged from the hospital.
We have a few case studies shared here from our own work – and there are also some inspiring stories shared via Community Catalysts to further bring this to life. As we often say at Daybreak, if there is a challenge where a robust plan can help – an FGC can make a powerful impact. Community Catalysts also have a lot more information and discussion on this topic.
When working with Adults (assuming that the client has capacity) we are mindful of the following considerations:
The client will decide who will be invited to their FGC
Support of an Advocate should be available, and offered
Relevant agencies should be identified and invitation encouraged
The client has the right to make decisions affecting their life - even when they may not be considered to be in the client’s best interest by others
Only the client can agree their FGC plan
FGCs can be used very effectively even where the client has been assessed as lacking capacity – there are some differences, but the process is the same.
What next for your practice?
We are seeing more and more Local Authorities and organisations explore the role of FGCs when working with adults. If you’d like to talk to us about your plans, we’d love to hear from you – we offer a range of bespoke training and consultancy services. Get in touch today, by emailing: training@daybreakfgc.org.uk
For practitioners looking to train, our next 2025 Family Group Conference Coordinator (Adults) Training course is now available to book. The three-day in-person course develops the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to Coordinate Adult FGCs. For those wanting to learn more about the training before booking, we also have a free webinar with our Training Manager, Alison.
If you are working with adults, and interested in the role FGCs might have in your work - simply get in touch: headoffice@daybreakfgc.org.uk.
