Family group decision making is a way of supporting a child’s extended family and friends to play an active role in decision making about how that child should be looked after. With support from a family group decision-making coordinator, families develop a plan, which they also agree with social work. The Promise Oversight Board has called for family group decision making to be consistently available across the country and the model helps public authorities to demonstrate that they have taken steps to respect, protect and fulfil their obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights and the Unite Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In Scotland, the model is set out in National Standards and Practice Guidance, which were developed by the National Family Group Decision Making Steering Group, which Children First is a key member of. Children First have been offering family group decision support to families in Scotland in partnership with local authorities for over 20 years.
The Essentials of Family Group Decision Making is a unique certificated course (SCQF level 9) developed by Children First in partnership with Robert Gordon University (RGU).
Who is the course for?
The course is for social workers, health, social care and children’s services professionals. It is particularly relevant for those who want to develop and improve their skill and knowledge in delivering FGDM or who want to explore the model’s application to their service.
Course details
The course uses a mixture of learning styles, including experiential learning, to engage the heads and hearts of participants.
At the end of the course you will:
- be able to coordinate and run an effective family group meeting
- understand the theory underpinning family group decision making and how it is applied in practice
- be able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and values required to act as a family group decision making coordinator
- be able to compare family group decision making with another model and the circumstances under which family group decision making is appropriate.
To register your interest, or for more information, please contact Sara Ali Sara.ali@childrenfirst.org.uk
Cost
The cost of this accredited course is £850 plus VAT. This includes registration and accreditation fees for Robert Gordon University, four taught course days, including lunch, online access to printable course materials and reviewing and marking students’ assignments.
Student or agencies will be invoiced by Children First before the course begins.
Register your interest
This is a popular course which is in limited supply. To register your interest, or for more information, please contact Sara Ali Sara.ali@childrenfirst.org.uk
Keeping families together
Family group decision making information for families
