FAMILY WELFARE CONFERENCE SERVICE LAOIS/OFFALY

1. FAMILY WELFARE CONFERENCESERVICELAOIS/OFFALY

2. AGENDA • Introduction • What is FWC • Key Principles • Background • Roles in FWC • Referrals • Stages of the Process • Recap • Q&A

3. WHAT IS A FWC ? • A child focused, family led decision making meeting. • It is a voluntary process • ‘Family’ is determined broadly, • They have ‘Private Family Time’ to reach a plan to facilitate the safe care and protection of the child/ren in need • Key professionals are involved in information giving at the beginning of the Conference and agreeing (referrer) the plan at the end of the Conference • An independent co-ordinator facilitates the process

4. GUIDING PRINCIPLES • The child’s interests are paramount • The child’s voice must be heard • Generally children are best looked after within their families. • Given the right information and services, generally, the family instinctively know what is best for their child • Families are empowered to generate change • Working in partnership is beneficial for children • The Family Plan is agreed by Referrer, unless it places the child at risk of significant harm

5. WHERE ARE FWC HELD • Neutral venues chosen in consultation with the family • Community centres • Voluntary services • Hotel • Not in HSE offices or family home

6. BACKGROUND • Concept of FWC originated in New Zealand in the 1980’s and is grounded in the Maori culture • Based on family and collective community responsibility for care and protection of children • N.Z Gov had to broaden definition of the family in line with Maori traditions and culture • A process evolved which sought to hand power back to families and work in a more culturally sensitive way

7. BACKGROUNDCONTD • It facilitated family decision making and became known as ‘family group conference’ • So successful was the concept of family responsibility and partnership that it was written into NZ law in 1989 • Following a visit to NZ in 1998 by the then minister of state Frank Fahey to explore the applicability of this process in Ireland an initial 1 yr project was under taken in the eastern region • FWC were written into Irish law in the Children Act 2001

8. Child Protection Conference Professional led Birth parents/main carers invited Chaired by Child Care Manager Convened where there is serious Child Protection Concerns Only professionals centrally involved invited Professionals draw up Child Protection Plan Professionals out number family Will proceed without families consent FWConference Voluntary Family led Involves birth and extended family Chaired by an independent Co-ordinator Can be convened for family support, alternative care, school difficulties as well as child protection concerns Professionals with specific knowledge/expertise can be invited Private family time to allow family to formulate a Plan Generally family out number professionals Will not proceed without family’s consent

9. ROLESINFAMILYWELFARECONFERENCING

10. CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE • Children are involved in the planning for the Conference and attend the FWC whenever possible. • Children may attend on a full or partial basis ( depending on their physical and emotional safety, their own expressed preference, their age cognitive ability and level of maturity) • The Co-ordinator, the child and key family members make the decision to how the children can best participate in the process.

11. FAMILY’S ROLE • The Family participate in the planning of the FWC and decide with the co-ord who should be invited, time and venue of meeting etc • Vulnerable family members are encouraged to have a support person at the meeting. (Advocate) • To ask questions of the information sharer if unclear about any aspect. • The family have Private Family Time at the Conference to consider the information shared and to formulate The Family Plan.

12. REFERRER’S ROLE • Introduce the process to the family and seek their consent for a referral • Assess the needs of the child/young person • Refer families to the service • Provide all relevant information in a clear, concise and jargon free manner and answer relevant questions the family may ask • Outline strengths and positives within the family • Identify the key resources/ supports available to the family • Responsible for monitoring the plan in conjunction with the family • Responsible for reviewing the plan with the family after a set length of time. • The bottom line

13. CO-ORDINATOR’S ROLE • Face to face meetings with child, family and significant others to explain the process and prepare them for the conference • Consult with the family about who should attend and ensure all relevant people are invited • Get the views of anyone unable to attend • Independent person not responsible for assessing the family or providing services. • Chairs the information stage of the FWC • Make travel and childcare arrangements for the family • Source and book a venue in consultation with the family • Record the family plan using the families language. • Remain objective

14. ADVOCATE’S ROLE • Independent from other interests • To support child, young person, vulnerable adult in preparing them for the conference by listening to their views, helping them to understand and make sense of their situation and the options available to them • To accurately reflect their views, wishes and feelings in order to help them express these at the conference • To act as a negotiator with the family, carers and professionals involved to make sure that their point of view will be listened to and respected • To speak for them if they do not wish to speak themselves.

15. WHO CAN REFER? • Social workers, child care worker/leaders, PHN’s, teachers, project staff, or any other professional concerned with the welfare of the child/ young person • A family can self refer • Joint referral- the professional and the family. This is the ideal method as it engages the family immediately in the process.

16. Referral Sources

17. CRITERIA FOR REFERRAL • Concern by a professional for the care, protection, welfare or placement of a child • Concern shared by some family members • Child not at immediate risk of life and limb • The family agree to participate in a FWC and are aware of the nature and purpose of the referral

19. STAGES IN THE FWC PROCESS Enquiry Referral Four Way Meeting FAMILY CONFERENCE 1.Info sharing 2.Private family time 3. Agreeing& recording the plan • PREPARATION • Meet & prepare • Everyone • Make arrangements • Negotiate/ mediate Implementation Of The Plan & Review

20. INFORMATION SHARING • Professionals share any info & concerns about the family which is relevant. This done in a JARGON FREE MANNER. Referral report is used as the focus. • Outline agencies statutory duties & responsibilities • Bottom line decisions • Resources available • Professionals with specialist knowledge • Family ask Qs for clarification

21. MGU MGA Genogram MGM MGF PGM PGF BM BF PA PU PU MU Paternal Cousin 4yrs 9yrs

22. PRIVATE FAMILY TIME 3 KEY TASKS • Agree a plan that addresses the Referrer’s concerns • Agree a Contingency plan • Agree their part in monitoring & reviewing the plan • Professionals are excluded from this part • Co-ordinator is available to family if clarification is needed.

23. AGREEING AND RECORDING THE FAMILY PLAN • Family relays plan to all, Co-ordinator helps to clarify • Ensure all concern are addressed • Plan is written up using family’s language • Plan agreed unanimously • Resources clarified • Monitor plan & contingencies agreed • Review date agreed • Co-ordinator circulates plan to all attendees

24. RECAP • A FWC is a child focused family led decision making meeting • The child’s voice must be heard • This a voluntary process and family must agree with the referral being made • Information should be presented in a JARGON FREE manner • The family have Private Time to formulate a plan for the care, welfare and protection of their child/ young person • Given the right information, in an environment that is respectful, caring and encouraging, families can make plans for the safe care of their children/ young people • There is a major role within the FWC Process for key professionals to share their knowledge and expertise with the family

25. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS