General Information
Can we use Video Conferencing for our Family Group Conference
We use our own video conferencing system called OFTEN (One Future Telehealth Education Network) to include family members who are unable to attend in person. Ask your facilitator to see if this is an option. Please note due to limitations of network ...
I do not have a car or transport, how can I still attend the Family Group Conference?
We understand that everyone's circumstances are different and that some people do not have the availability of a car for transport to attend the conference. We suggest that you first ask a family member or a friend to see if they give you a lift to ...
What are the benefits of a family group conference?
Family group conferences are a good way of getting your wider family and friends involved in keeping your child/ren safe and well cared for and they can help families lead decision-making. Family group conferences often help families identify what ...
What is a family plan?
The Family Plan is an important part of the family group conference process. During private family time, the family will develop their own plan to address the worries and concerns that were discussed during information sharing. The family plan will ...
What will we talk about?
The focus of a family group conference is always about the safety and wellbeing of the child/ren. The facilitator will ask parents, family, and services to share any worries or concerns they have about the child/ren, but this is to help the family to ...
What if I do not have money or transport to get to the family group conference?
Talk to the facilitator or your caseworker about these concerns early on, the facilitator can advocate on your behalf around financial supports from the Department of Communities and Justice so that you are able to attend the family group conference. ...
What if we can’t come up with a plan?
The facilitator can help you to develop a plan that addresses the worries or concerns that services have described in the ‘information sharing’ part of the family group conference. The facilitator can help you to get started by giving you questions ...
What are the ground rules at the family group conference?
The facilitator will explain at the start of the meeting what the expectations are for people who are attending. The facilitator will talk with you before the family group conference about what you think is important to include, but the group ...
What if I do not want to have an Family Group Conference, or I don’t want to go to one
You don’t have to be at or get involved in a family group conference. It should always be voluntary to attend. However, if the Department of Communities and Justice have serious concerns about your child’s safety, you will have to continue to work ...
Who can attend a Family Group Conference
Before the family group conference is held, the facilitator will spend time with you and your family and explore who else needs to attend the conference. This could include members of the extended family and kin, a support person or a community ...
Can the Family Group Conference (FGC) plan be changed in the future?
The review meeting is a chance for the family and professionals to meet together again to look at the plan and make sure it is working. Review meetings give families the chance to make changes to any parts of the plan that are not working well or ...
How do I get to the Family Group Conference?
The facilitator will talk with you about how you will get to the venue and can liaise with the caseworker if financial assistance is needed to attend the meeting. It may be that you can get a lift with a family member or support worker. The meeting ...
Who do I contact? Family Group Conference
You can contact One Future at any time if you have any questions. Your facilitator will share their contact details with you so that you can communicate with them during the family group conference process. For the Parent/s you can also contact your ...
Is the facilitator from the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ)?
No, the One Future facilitator is an independent and are asked by DCJ to organise a family group conference so that it is a fair and independent process. Once the family group conference has been held, we may be involved in the review meeting six ...
What happens if we do not get on?
Your facilitator will meet with everyone individually or speak to them on the phone if face to face is not possible. They will discuss what is expected from each other to ensure the family meeting goes well. There will be ground rules set at the ...
There is Apprehended Violence Order in place, can s/he still be there?
If there is a court order in place, the person can only attend if the order allows. In most cases we would hold two separate meetings, or the facilitator would seek the person’s views prior to the meeting to share on the day. The safety and wellbeing ...
Can we do the Family Group Conference at my house?
No, this is not preferred. We find that a neutral venue works best for all participants.
Where will the Family Group Conference (FGC) be held?
The meeting will be held in a neutral venue in your local community. The facilitator will discuss the venue with you and ensure any needs you have in respect of culture, disability or transport are considered when sourcing a venue. Can we meet at my ...
How long will the Family Group Conference meeting last?
All meetings vary depending on who is there and how much family time you need to develop your plan. The average time for a family group conference is around 3 hours. You will be able to take a break at any time during the meeting and ...
I have been referred to have a Family Group Conference (FGC), what happens next?
A family group conference facilitator will contact you to arrange a time to come and visit you. They will explain in detail the process and stages of the meeting and answer any concerns and questions you may have. Related Articles What is the ...
What is a Family Group Conferencing (FGC)?
From time-to-time, families have difficulties caring for their children and this can be for many different reasons. Family group conferencing is a way of bringing family members together in a positive way with an impartial facilitator to make a plan ...