Family Group Conferencing with Children and Young People

Darrell Fox is Assistant Professor in Social Work at the University of the Fraser Valley, BC, Canada.

Family Group Conferences are seen as a progressive and influential form of practice in child welfare across the globe. This book examines and identifies variations in independent advocacy provision offered to young people and their families in relation to undertaking a FGC, and discusses how these can impact the outcomes both positively and negatively for young people involved. 

Using critical discourse analysis and an original theoretical framework, the outcomes of advocacy provision are examined from participants' perspectives prior to, during, and after the FGC process has been completed. The analysis develops themes that are discussed comprehensively and recommendations are made for the enhancement of advocacy provision generally, and, for young people involved in FGC specifically. 

Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Family Group Conferences: Models and Processes.- Chapter 3. Advocacy.- Chapter 4. Literature Review: Current and Developing Research.- Chapter 5. Children's Rights.- Chapter 6. Theory: Eco Systems, Resiliency and Social Pedagogy.- Chapter 7. Theories of Power: Family Group Conferences and Advocacy Approaches.- Chapter 8. Findings Pre-Conference: Demographics, Preparation and Referral and Gatekeeping.- Chapter 9. Findings Pre-Conference: Evolution of FGC: Division of Roles, Engagement and Participation.- Chapter 10. Findings Pre-Conference: Questions.- Chapter 11. Findings the Conference: Timeframes, Attendance and Focus, Family Time, the Plan, Follow Up.- Chapter 12. Conclusion: Summary, Areas for Future Research and Implications for Social Work Practice.