Building Social Responsibility Through Family Group Conferencing

Abstract

Family Group Conferencing (FGC) is a method of bringing together a family group with service providers to come up with a plan to resolve problems in individual and social functioning. This paper describes FGC from a group development perspective involving planning and convening the single-session meeting. The FGC moves along with the help of a group worker called a coordinator, but its success is based on people-citizens-banding together. The core of the convening stage is when families are left alone, equipped with resources at their disposal, to determine a plan for change.

Prevention of coercion in public mental health care with family group conferencing

“…Because of lack of knowledge about its existence, it is normally a care provider who informs the client about FGC and its possibilities (Crampton 2007). Once an agreement between the client, his family and the care provider is reached, an independent coordinator will be asked to organize a conference (Macgowan & Pennell 2002, Crampton 2007, Hayes & Houston 2007). The coordinator ensures that the right people are invited (divergent significant others can be invited too, such as neighbours, friends and lecturers).…”

Path Dependence and the Place of Social Action in Social Work Practice

“…Macgowan and Pennell (2001), for example, in their discussion of Family Group Conferencing, a method based on the social goals model which "engenders social consciousness and promotes social action" (Ibid., p. 69), note that "before and while conferencing, community and organizational supports must be developed" (Ibid., p. 70). Generally speaking, this means that groups must be open to the community in such a way that a culture of solidarity can develop among groups (see Breton, 1995).…”

Collecting feedback as a tool to reduce care paralysis: something for family group conferencing coordinators?

“…They do not think in terms of professional problem solving but in empowering families to find their own solutions (e.g. Holland & Rivett ; Macgowan & Pennell ). Coordinators are role models for ‘responsible citizenship’ (Macgowan & Pennell , p. 71) who view ‘families as partners who are capable of responsible decision‐making’ (p. 72).…”

“…Holland & Rivett ; Macgowan & Pennell ). Coordinators are role models for ‘responsible citizenship’ (Macgowan & Pennell , p. 71) who view ‘families as partners who are capable of responsible decision‐making’ (p. 72). However, in cases of child abuse, according to Connolly (), it is important that the coordinator has ‘an in‐depth knowledge about family dynamics and the impact of intimidatory dynamics on processes of participation’ (p. 350).…”