Children's views of family group conferences

The note reports one part of a research study which looked at the experiences of the first twenty families who participated in a family group conference pilot project. The research reports the largely positive views of twenty children aged between six and sixteen who were interviewed and/or returned questionnaires. Based on the experiences of the children in this project, children's inclusion in family group conferences is generally to be encouraged. They mostly valued the experience of being consulted and welcomed opportunities for families to develop relationships and work together on issues, free from the attentions of social services. Nonetheless, although family group conferences can usefully include children and have a clear role in child welfare practice, they are not necessarily the route to empowering practice for all children and families.