research in practice

The author uses the term family group decision-making in order to broaden the discussion to include not only family group conferencing (FGC), but other models such as community conferencing. The family group conferencing model has been taken up internationally since it began in New Zealand in 1989. The focus of FGDM or FGC 'is a plan for the care and protection of children developed through a meeting of the children's extended family in cases of confirmed child abuse and neglect'. The practice emphasises the family's responsibility to care for their children and works with the strengths the family has to support them in developing a plan to address the children's' needs.