Empowerment of Roma Women: Family Group Conference Models for Education

1. Project ”Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education“ Workshop on the topic: „Models for Working with Families” FAMILY GROUP CONFERENCES The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

2. The Family group conference is an opportunity for children, families and specialists The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

3. Why this model? We look for ways of working and approaches to support families at risk /with problems or difficulties/ to be able to provide good care to children and family members The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

4. What is the Family group conference? The Family Group Conferenceis a way to find solutions to various problems,as children, parents,members of the extended family, friends, gather together to make a plan. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

5. Not just innovation but a model with clear principles and standards based on international documents adopted by Bulgaria • United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child • Convention on Human Rights • United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

6. Social work Education Building relationships between people The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

7. Relationships between people They easily break apart. Hard to be kept up. Very difficult to recover. They need time. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

8. FAMILY GROUP CONFERENCE Referring Independent coordinator Preparation • Sharing information • Family private time • Accepting the plan Supervision Review

9. How do we know that? • We have been supporting projects for over 20 years - with funding, training, exchange of experience, information, materials ... • We talk to colleagues, professionals, children, parents, elderly people, youths, agencies and ministries, municipalities … The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

10. All specialists state that working with families is very important, parental and family involvement is essential, but ...“they are not interested, do not include, do not come, do not understand, are not active, have no capacity, are not responsible, difficult / impossible to be engaged ...” The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

11. Our aim • People living well • Children and young people fully developing their potential A society in which people are socially involved, responsible, engaged, and helping one another The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

12. To live well people need: • To be part of a community in which they are accepted and desired; • To be able not only to receive but also to contribute to this community; • To participate in social life; • To be co-authors of their lives and the world they live in. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

13. Things from real life… Changes happen ...Desired - unwanted, waited - unexpected, slow - sudden, nice - scary, planned - unforeseen … What is our role? The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

14. Different systems Institutions:Families: • Regulations, laws - Unique • Procedures- Different • Requirements- Expectations • Sanctions- Motivation Two ways of decision-making ProfessionalsFamily groups The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

15. Services • Services are available in a predefined format, location, time, access • Service menu • Experts know best • Professionals decide - what, when, where ... • They are expertsChildren and families are adjusting The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

16. As a result • Learned helplessness • Socially awaited responses • Dependence • Disclaimer • Refusal to participate • High social cost The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

17. The family group conference allows a discourse between two systems of legitimate interest: • Thelaw of thestate - Thelaw of thefamily The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

18. Professionals do not decide - they offer the necessary information and services • Families decide and take responsibility The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

19. SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES: HANDBOOK(McKeown, 2010) Social network of the client and context Attitude Client/worker 30% 40% Hope of the client Тechnics 15% 15%

20. Family group conference Phases • Referring • Preparation • Family group conference • Sharing information • Family private time • Accepting the plan • Supervision • Review The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

21. Principles/characteristics • It is a decision making model; • The family and its social network remain owner of the conference – their people, their problem, their time, their food, their plan….; • The coordinator is independent; • The family has the right of information, private time and unconditional acceptance of the plan /unless the plan is unsafe or illegal/ The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

22. Values • All families have the right of respect from the state • Children have the right to maintain family and cultural relations • Children and parents are part of wider family systems • The state must protect the relative networks The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

23. Values • Family groups are experts on their issues - they are best acquainted with their own problems • Active participation of the family group is essential for good results • The family group is the context of the solution • Family groups are able to manage and represent themselves The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

24. Family group conferenceReferring The referrer: • Has a clear view of the situation; • Knows how FGC works • Establishes if there is a threat to the child(ren)s safety; • Clearly formulates what changes have to be made; • Talks over the possibility of FGC with the family; • Motivates the family to use this opportunity; • Is ready to take part in the Family group conference and to accept the plan ( if there is no harmful elements for the child) The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

25. Family group conferenceReferring Local managing NGO: • Receives information from the referrer; • Gives advice on situations that are presented; • Has a say in whether the FGC is an appropriate means in this situation; • Has the reasons for the conference clearly defined; • Knows the expectations and worries of the referrer; • Checks if the referrer is aware of his/her task and responsibilities with regards to the FGC; • Finds a fitting coordinator; • Enrolls the conference at the database The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

26. Family group conferenceReferring The independent coordinator: • Checks if FGC suits him/her; • Finds out if he/she has enough information; • Finds out whether the information needed is available; • Finds out whether he/she has the time and possibility; • Finds out if there are counter-indications (neighborhood, acquaintances); • Cooperates with family, region manager, referrer and social care worker(s). The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

27. Family group conferenceReferring The managing NGO: • Signs a contract with the coordinator; • Provides the coordinator with a telephone, stationery, business cards, leaflets; • Forwards a set of registration forms; • Makes an advance payment; • Serves as a helpdesk. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

28. Family group conferencePreparation The independent coordinator: • Talks to the family and gathers information about the family circle; • Establishes contacts with the child and family members, friends, neighbours ...; • Explains what FGC is and encourages them to participate; • Together with the regional manager provides a venue, food and beverages, toys ...; • Specifies with the referrer minimum requirements, if any. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

29. Family group conferenceІ Phase: Information The social worker or another specialist who referred the family to FGC: • Presents the problem briefly in a clear and understandable way. If necessary, another person (e.g. teacher) is included; • Explains the limitations and responsibilities that arise from the law (if necessary in the case); • Formulates minimum requirements for the plan; • Provides information on the options for support and types of social services offered as consciously does not influence family decisions. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

30. Family group conference ІІ Phase: Family private time Only family members and invited people remain. The others leave the room: • Family members talk, ask, discuss, offer ...; • They make a plan that everyone agrees to and record it; • Consider the implementation of the plan in details with specific engagements - who will do what which they also record; • Together they decide who, when and how they will evaluate the plan's implementation, and what they will do if the plan is not implemented properly. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

31. Family group conference ІІ Phase: Family private time It is important for the family to discuss the situation alone and make a plan because: • No one knows the problem better than the people in the family; • The responsibility for solving the problem lies with the family; • Family members can talk freely, especially about things they do not want to comment with other people and professionals. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

32. Family group conferenceІІІ Phase: Accepting the plan Everybody comes in when the family is ready with the plan: • The family presents the plan to the coordinator and the specialists; • The independent coordinator records it if the family was not able; • The social worker/the specialist/ looks at the plan and may ask questions about elements that are not clear but in no way affecting the decisions of the family; • The plan is accepted unconditionally unless it is dangerous to the children or contains illegal moments. • It is determined who and how he/she will observe whether the plan is being implemented successfully. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

33. Family group conferenceAfter the conference • After a certain period of time (usually 4-6 months), contact with the family is repeated to check how the plan is implemented. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

34. We know that families can make and follow their own plan The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

35. The model FGC is a tool for mobilizing the most sustainable possible support for a person - the family circle;The model is based on a very old, traditional and easy to understand concept - the power of the family circle;Family, godparents … The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

36. Opportunity for finding a solution in difficult situations and problems: • Attendance and behaviour in school, coping with the school subjects ... • Reintegration in the family, prevention of institutionalization, detention ... • Aggression, / Domestic / Violence ... • Divorce, poverty …

37. Damage, illness ... • Dependence on alcohol and drugs ... • Adoption, foster family ... • Moving ... • Social isolation ... • Restorative justice … The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

38. Applied effectively for • Prevention • Intervention • Crisis intervention The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

39. With different groups of people • Children • Youths • Adults • Elderly people The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

40. The Model – a right and opportunity It is not a social care but a decision-making model. A meeting where the extended family /parents, relatives and their social network/ mobilizes their own resources and makes the best plan to overcome a specific problem. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

41. Participants: • Children, young people, family members • The family and its social network • Independent coordinator /prepared/ • Local organization /prepared/ • Referrer /a social worker, a teacher, a policeman, a doctor or another specialist acquainted with the problem, a friend…/ The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

42. CHILDREN • Every child has the right and need to receive support by keeping family and kinship relationships • Support and family relationships are extremely important for the development of children • The model ensures the participation of children and young people The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

43. CHILDREN • It offers children a practical model for making decisions in the family • It is accessible in the community - where people live • Applicable to any problems • Encourages responsibility The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

44. FAMILIES • Children and families are part of a larger family system • Families have the right to be respected by the institutions and the state • The family is the context of the problem – and of the solution The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

45. FAMILIES • The model works with different families regardless of ethnic, religious or cultural backgrounds; educational or social statusin small villages and large cities The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

46. FAMILIES • Practical participation of fathers (significant men in the family circle) in children's lives • Enhances family ties • Practically a democratic way of decision-making and taking responsibility The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

47. Great BritainIrelandGermany, the Netherlands, BelgiumSweden, Norway, RussiaSlovakia, SpainSerbia, BosniaUSA, CanadaNew Zealand, Australia ... The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

48. SPECIALISTS • It allows two very different systems - institutional and family – to be connected • Helps to mobilize the necessary resources at the right time with the appropriate responsibility • Appropriate inclusion of parents, children, young people, members of the extended family, neighbours, friends, colleagues ... The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

49. SPECIALISTS • The family makes a plan and takes responsibility for its implementation and monitoring • The family circle contributes on average 80% of the resources needed for the plan • It can be applied in any case - prevention, intervention, crisis intervention The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)

50. SPECIALISTS • Financially efficient model • Accessible • Universal support • "Works for Everyone!" - Tim Fisher, London Borough of Camden FGC Service Manager • It is implemented by a local organization The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education” is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)