Family Group Conferencing

• Putting the family at the heart of decision-making and planning

• Future-focused

• Blame free

• Children of substance misusing parents experience safer, healthier and more nurturing family environments strengthened by wider family support

• Children experience less chaotic home lives as parental behaviour patterns improve

• Families are strengthened by parents’ improved relationships with supporting organisations

Service Outcomes

Family Solutions• Criteria: Families of Pre-birth &

Pre-school children affected by parental substance misuse

Process produces a Family Plan that supports and informs Child’s Plan / Antenatal Plan

Cross-roads moment?• Life becoming less under control

• Motivation to make a good start in life for baby /child

• No action option may lead to fewer choices

and to the risks needing to be reduced by others stepping in to take responsibility

Work to do

• Relationships may be in poor repair?

• Trust in others and their trust in me?

• Can feel like a bigger risk than “going it alone” /hoping for the best?

- So future focus: on how I want it to be for me and my child

FGC Co-ordinator role

• Facilitates

• Supports parents to take ownership & responsibility

• Does not duplicate other professional or family roles

Identify potential supporters

What I am prepared to do

Issues and needs; Strengths.

+ best way to engage supporters

Preparation Stage

Each supporter …• Perception of needs,

concerns, strengths, priorities

• What I (or my agency) can offer

• Non-negotiables

Planning My Family Group Meeting

Consider advocate role?

Other support needs of participants?

Practicalities of Meeting,e.g. Timing, Venue, Crèche?

My Family Group Meeting

Information Sharing

Private Family Time

The Family Plan

Review Family Group Meetings

• We’ll keep everyone communicating

• Together we’ll do what works

For Recovery and the best chance for children affected by parental substance misuse – empowerment, choices, reconnection, responsibility

Family Solutions & Recovery

Family Group Conferencing

• Putting the family at the heart of decision-making and planning

• Future-focused

• Blame free