A problem shared is a problem halved
What do New Zealand Maoris and Hampshire County Council have in common?
More than you might think. When there is a problem, Maori families get the whole clan together to sit down and sort it out until it’s resolved. And it’s these community traditions to resolving family problems that have been adopted by the County Council’s Family Group Conference (FGC) Service.
Jessie is our number one priority
Sarah, 20, has a beautiful two-year-old girl, Jessica. Until a year ago, Sarah lived with a violent partner – not a good environment to bring up her daughter in.
“We were all devastated when Jessie was taken into care, we thought we were going to lose her for good,” said Mary, Jessie’s Grandma.
“So a family group conference was suggested. Our first meeting was at the local leisure centre – neutral ground I suppose. The social worker was there, me, Sarah, Sarah’s natural mum, a family friend and Jessie’s guardian– everyone who cared about Jessie and Sarah. It was all organised by Tony our FGC co-ordinator.
“The first meeting was horrible. It was heart-wrenching – everyone was blaming different things and saying it wasn’t their fault. But we put a family plan of action in place and all took on different roles and responsibilities to support Sarah. Tony made everyone feel at ease and we couldn’t have done it without him.
“In just three months, things were a lot more positive and getting better. Sarah was doing exactly what Children’s Services had asked. A family friend was helping her to sort out her life because it was easier to take advice from someone outside the family.
“Sarah’s not with her partner anymore, she attends a college course and is proving to everyone she can cope. The biggest difference is her attitude, she’s a lot more positive and a stronger person full stop.
“Jessie is a little pickle and everyone really does love her and we can’t wait for her to be back fulltime with her mum and family where she belongs.
“It bought us all together, making us a stronger family unit. Now we’ve had a chance to speak our minds and say what we feel – it really helps. Tony is one brilliant guy, he was the thread that held it together and made it possible.”
NB: all names changed for privacy.
Picture posed by models.
Could Family Group Conference help you?
A FGC can help in lots of different situations.
Maybe a child needs to be kept safe or decisions have to be made about where they should live, or who they should have contact with.
If a child is having problems being excluded from school or has poor attendance.
It’s all about families getting together to put the young person first and make positive plans and decisions.
A FGC is not a magic wand and a single meeting won’t change the world but it certainly helps.
Children’s Services – your social worker or education staff – are the ones to speak to about making a referral. To find out more, contact the FGC service on 01962 876356/876355 or visit the Family Group Conference webpages.