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1. Family Group Conference – an Innovative Model of support to Multi Problem Families – Experience in BiH www.infondacija.org info@infondacija.org + 387 51 464 460 Branka Ivanović, IN foundation, BiH

2. IN foundation • IN Foundation - established in 2009 • Focuses on prevention of violence in lives of children, youth and their families in BiH through the: • social innovation • family and community based interventions • research • development of capacities of local CSOs Long-term experience in working with the children at risk is guided by the best interest of the child Partnership with local CSOs, and they partner with local authorities

3. BiH contex • Bosnia and Herzegovina struggles with many serious social issues. • Most of these are a direct or indirect result of the devastating civil war (1992-1995), • Long lasting, transition process combined with socio- economic instability and insecurity. • Especially in post-socialist countries: the transition brings more social problems and even new ones. The state system is not able to handle all social problems on its own!

4. BiH context • Process of transition contributes to: • erosion of social capital • detraditionalization • social and economic insecurity and instability • weakened solidarity • weak social resilience • magnified vulnerability • weakening the family ties • changes the family composition • marital disruption

5. BiH context The pressure on many families and children is huge due to: • high unemployment, • inter-ethnic strife • prevalence of PTSD • substances abuse • lack of functional governmental structures responsible for social support.

6. FGC as response • Internationally recognised model used in BiH in work with children and families in specific life or/and risk situations • Model based on the assumption that families are the most capable of solving their own problems and are able to take control and make proper decisions for themselves and their children. Even being in crisis, families can take care of their children, with the appropriate support. • FGC has clear structure of the work methodology and is applicable in social, health, juridical (children in conflict with law) and education sector.

7. FGC Actors • The whole process includes following actors: • Child at risk • Family and social network • Trained SCW staff /case managers - Initiator • Independentcoordinator • Project manager • Professionals are still present and involved in following up the case • Biggest responsibility belongs to the family • FGC provides opportunity for families to develop the family plan aiming to solve the problem together with people they trust • Family is managing the process from the beginning to the end

8. FGC in BiH • 2011 - Sarajevo i Banja Luka • 2014 - Mostar, Zenica i Bijeljina • 2016 - Tuzla, Bihać i Gradiška

9. From 2011 – 2017 organised 269 FGCs In 8 local communites in BiH

10. 354children and youth • 1 846members of the family and soicial network • 24CSW professionls • 67trained and certified independant coordinators • 7CSOs • 8Centres for social welfare • 8local communites in BiH

12. PROGRAM EVALUATION RESULTS

13. The reasons for referring FGC

14. Evaluation of the successful implementation of the family plan

15. Duration of the conference

16. The age of the children/youngsters

17. Gender of the children/youngsters

18. Respecting the plan after the FGC

19. Evaluation of the success of the adopted plan

20. The degree of improvement of relations in the family after the Conference

21. The evaluation of the implemented FGC by the underage participants

22. Data collection three months after the FGC with families - Respecting the plan adopted at the conference

23. Main characteristics of FGC as social service tool • Moderate and early form of social intervention • Voluntary and participatory process • Child focused process • Guided by the family through empowerment and knowledge gained through experience • Based on family network strength • Focused on practical solutions

24. FGC as a tool for early intervention Issues: • Children exposed to family violence, abuse and neglect • Children without adequate parental care, children in foster families • Children at risk of being in conflict with law, young offenders • Children with problems in behaviour • Children in specific life situations like divorce of parents, loss of family members, family health issues, prevention of institutionalisation Issues of peer violence, learning problems

25. Benefits of the FGC from the family perspective • Improved communication among the family members as well as with wider social network • Decreased level of conflicts, better understanding of problems and difficulties, resourcefulness in developing effective mechanism in problem solving • Family network is a good source of info as they know well the family history; with the experts’ support they can easily be guided to deliver effective and efficient family plan • The family gives a perspective on what is acceptable and sets clear boundaries

26. Benefits of the FGC from the family perspective • Decisions made in the family circle are more efficient than those imposed from the outside – it brings the power and control to manage their lives back to individual/family; • It allows the family to plan and take control of their lives • Provides clear guidelines regarding child and family concerns • It is based on family power and uses existing family capacities • Fathers are accepting this model quite well and getting involved

27. FGC from child perspective • Adolescents sometimes worry of being refused or that some (important for them) members of the social network will not show up • Child is not alone in the problem • Child in the focus – becoming actor of change • Children appreciate presence of the wider network at the meeting, they feel strengthened • Children, young people and their parents have the right to participate in decision-making process relevant for them • The child is given a voice (by being present at the meeting, asked for his/her opinion, consent) • Active participation-kids becoming agents of change

28. Benefits of the FGC in school settings • Represents an example of an expert’s proceeding outside the social welfare institution • Improves the communication of the school with parents and the social network of the child • An effective model for increasing parents' involvement and improving student behavior towards teachers and learning itself • It enhances the educational role of the school as well as the school achievements • The school gets a new tool for working with children and families in crisis / risk • The school is not alone in the problem • Sets clear roles and responsibilities of all parties involved

29. Some practical tips • The central question of the family is not always the main issue • To deal with newer cases, avoiding those who are dependent on social welfare for longer time – only as a last “resort” to exit the current crisis • In preparation of FGCs, allow time for all the necessary contacts and discussions and home visits of potential social network members to increase their involvement • During the preparatory stage, during initial contacts with the child and his/her parents, identify as many potential members of the network as possible, in order to prevent possible withdrawal of certain members of the extended family / social networks

30. Some practical tips • In conducting the evaluation, include the number of persons (families) who have given up from proposed conference, in order to better understand their reasons. • Closer monitoring system of the family plan - the role of independent coordinators - following up in the first three months (phone calls f.e.) • To organize a short meeting with the public institution representatives in order get them acquainted with the model and their role at the conference • Assess the possibility of linking additional support programs to support parents to promote positive parenting skills and integration into the family plan that families develop themselves.

31. Thanks for your attention! Branka Ivanovic Executive director of IN foundation b.ivanovic@infondacija.org www.infondacija.org