Supporting Pupils, Schools and Families: An Evaluation of the Hampshire Family Group Conferences in Education Project

Source: (2004) University of Sheffield, England. Downloaded 3 May 2005.

Hampshire County Council Social Services Department was one of the first UK
agencies to promote the use of Family Group Conferences (FGCs) as a means
of involving wider family networks in the support of children and young people.
They took their first referrals in 1994. The model originates in New Zealand and
has now been subject to significant development and testing (Marsh and Crow,
1998).
In 1998 a bid for education funding by the Principal Welfare Officer allowed the
setting up of ‘Education FGCs’ to be developed. The Conferences try to help
young people experiencing some difficulty in school, but as this report will show
there are often family issues and welfare concerns as well.
The report evaluates the work of the Education FGC project from its first
implementation through the experience of the young people many months after
their FGC. (excerpt)