Family Group Decision Making

The umbrella term for family-led decision-making forums, where a family network has all the resources, adequate preparation, relevant information, a safe and appropriate environment, and private family time to make a plan to response to concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing. At pre-proceedings stage, successful family group decision-making also includes having an independent coordinator. Family group decision-making can take different forms, including family group conferences. The Department for Education does not prescribe a specific model, but a process which follows the steps set out above.