2. Plan for a family group meeting
2.1 Determine the requirement for a family group meeting
A family group meeting is to be an inclusive and participative process for the child, family, Child Safety Services and service providers, to develop a case plan that is child-centred, family-focussed, strengths-based and based on shared responsibility. It brings together family, extended family, services and support people in a forum that allows families to participate in planning for the protection of their children.
Under the Child Protection Act 1999, section 51H, Child Safety Services must convene a family group meeting, or have a private convenor convene a family group meeting, to develop the initial case plan for a child. This is to occur in an inclusive and participative process with the child, the child's family and other significant people.
The Child Protection Act 1999, section 51S, also outlines the requirements for developing a case plan in circumstances where either:
- the case plan is not developed at the case planning meeting
- it has not been possible for Child Safety Services to convene a family group meeting or have a private convenor convene a family group meeting - refer to 1. What if an initial case plan is developed without a family group meeting?
The purpose of a family group meeting (Child Protection Act 1999, section 51G) is:
- to provide family-focussed responses for a child's protection and care needs
- to ensure an inclusive process for planning and making decisions relating to a child's well-being and protection and care needs.
A family group meeting may be initiated by Child Safety Services (Child Protection Act 1999, section 51H(1)) or directed by the Childrens Court (Child Protection Act 1999, section 68(1)(d)(i)).
A family group meeting may also be convened, but is not required, to:
- review the existing case plan and prepare a revised case plan - refer to 5. Review and revise the case plan
- consider, make recommendations about, or deal with another matter relating to the child's well-being and protection and care needs.
The family group meeting is to be held within 30 days of the decision that a child is in need of protection, or within the timeframe set by the court on an adjournment.
For further information about family group meetings refer to the Family group meeting convenor handbook (FGM Handbook). The FGM handbook provides convenors with a guide to:
- the values and principles of the family group meeting model
- the legislation associated with the implementation of family group meetings
- the necessary skills and procedures for facilitating a family group meeting.
2.2 Provide information to the convenor
Complete a referral form to a convenor for a family group meeting
Every family group meeting will be convened by a person specifically delegated for this task under the Statutory delegations. This person is referred to as a family group meeting convenor (convenor), and includes either:
- a Child Safety Services' officer with the delegation to convene a family group meeting
- an external person contracted by Child Safety Services to convene the family group meeting.
The role of the convenor is to:
- prepare all relevant people to participate in the meeting
- facilitate the family group meeting
- ensure the case plan is recorded on the approved form.
When the convenor is an external person, a Child Safety Services' officer will record the case plan on the approved form.
To initiate a family group meeting, complete the Family group meeting referral form and provide it to the convenor. The referral must include the following:
- the name of the person making the referral
- the child's name, date of birth and address
- the child's cultural identity, including whether the child is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- the parents names and contact details
- the details of the person with care or custody of the child
- information about the current situation, including:
- a summary of the background, reasons for Child Safety Services' involvement and the child's protection needs
- Child Safety Services' minimum requirement
- details of service providers currently working with the child or family
- details of any other significant family members or other persons.
Provide additional information to the convenor
As soon as possible following the completion of the referral, provide the convenor with copies of the following:
- all relevant information from the 'approved' investigation and assessment, including the safety assessment and family risk evaluation
- the child and parental strengths and needs assessments
- any other relevant information that has become available since the referral, including details of any additional significant family members or other persons that have been identified.
Meet with the convenor prior to the family group meeting
In preparation for the family group meeting, meet with the convenor to discuss in more detail:
- the reasons for Child Safety Services' involvement, the critical areas of need and Child Safety Services' minimum requirement
- the view of the CSO and team leader in relation to the child and family strengths and how these may be incorporated in the case plan
- the likely venue, duration and format of the meeting
- any significant issues that may impact on the family's participation, for example, a history of violence, cultural or language issues or a disability
- the role of the recognised entity, if applicable
- what may be required to ensure a successful meeting for a child or family from a culturally or linguistically diverse background
- any people whose participation in the meeting would not be in a child's interests, or would be contrary to the purposes of the family group meeting.
2.3 Prepare for a family group meeting
Thorough preparation of those attending the family group meeting is essential to allow the participants to understand the concerns, the identified strengths and needs of the child and parents and participate to the greatest extent possible to achieve an agreed case plan at the meeting. It allows participants time to discuss and consider options for planning, prior to the meeting.
Decide who will attend a family group meeting
It is the responsibility of the convenor to decide who will attend the family group meeting. In every case this determination is based on whether the participation or attendance of a person is in the child's best interests and whether the person is likely to make a useful contribution to the development of the case plan.
All people who are significant to the child must be given a reasonable opportunity to attend and participate in the family group meeting. The case plan should reflect and combine the knowledge, strengths, resources and supports of the child's family and support network with the professional expertise and resources of Child Safety Services's representatives and other service providers.
The following people must be given the opportunity to participate in the family group meeting:
- the child, where age and developmentally appropriate
- the child's parents
- extended family members, who are likely to make a useful contribution to the case plan (Child Protection Act 1999, section 51L)
- any legal representative for the child
- a member of the recognised entity for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child
- anyone else who the convenor considers likely to make a useful contribution to the development of the case plan at the meeting, for example a service provider
- any support person nominated by the child or parent
- a Child Safety Services' representative if the convenor is a private convenor.
The convenor or nominated person will invite participants to the family group meeting, and may use either:
- the Family group meeting invitation letter, if the convenor has consulted with the participant
- the Family group meeting invitation and essential information letter, if the convenor has been unable to consult with the participant.
Prepare for the meeting
To prepare for the family group meeting, the convenor will:
- arrange a venue for the meeting
- use the Family group meeting convenor checklist as a guide
- consider all relevant information
- obtain cultural advice and consult with the recognised entity for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child
- speak with the child to seek their views and wishes in relation to attending the family group meeting and what issues, needs and goals they would like addressed at the meeting
- consult with the child's parents about the goals, outcomes and actions they wish to have included in the case plan
- consult with all the family group meeting participants to prepare them for the meeting, and provide them with essential information, for example:
- the purpose, function, principles and process for a family group meeting and case planning
- the child's protection and care concerns and the reason for Child Safety Services' involvement
- the meeting details
- Child Safety Services' minimum requirement
- their obligation to maintain confidentiality
- information about complaint and review processes
- decide whether a person or persons are to be excluded from the meeting, if required
- obtain the views of any person, who is unable to attend or is excluded from attending the meeting.
Consult with a parent who is unwilling to participate in the meeting
If a parent is unwilling to meet with the convenor, or is unwilling to attend the family group meeting, the convenor must make a reasonable effort to engage the parent through other avenues, such as the parent's legal representative, a service provider or another family member.
A parent's decision not to participate in a family group meeting will not prevent the meeting from being held and the case plan being developed.
- Last updated
- 18 September 2009
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