What is Family Group Decision Making?
Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) is a family-led meeting that brings together family members and the people who know and care about a child.
It gives families the opportunity to work together to create a safe plan that addresses concerns raised by professionals or responds to challenges the family is facing.
How is an FGDM different from other meetings?
FGDM is different from other meetings because it is:
- Family led – your family creates the plan.
- Independent – the meeting is coordinated by someone who is not involved in making decisions about your case.
- Inclusive – children, young people, family members and friends who are important to you can all be involved.
- Strengths based – it focuses on what is working well as well as what needs to change.
- Private family time – your family has dedicated private time during the meeting to agree a plan together.
The child's voice is at the heart of every Family Decision Making meeting, and they will be supported to take part in a way that feels right for them.
How does an FGDM work?
Before the meeting, an independent co-ordinator will work with your family to decide who should be invited and when and where the meeting will happen.
They will:
- Explain the Family Group Decision Making process.
- Talk to you about the concerns and what you want to achieve.
- Help identify family and friends to invite.
- Arrange a date, time and venue that works for everyone.
- Ensure everyone understands their role before the meeting.
Everything discussed is treated confidentially, unless someone is at risk of harm.
The three stages of a Family Group Conference
1. Information sharing
Your social worker or family worker will explain what the concerns are, what needs to change and what support is available to your family.
Everyone will have the opportunity to ask questions and make sure they understand the concerns.
2. Private family time
Once your family has the information needed, professionals will leave the room so you can use private family time to decide who will do what, what support is needed, and how you will check the plan is working.
3. Agreeing the plan
Your completed family plan will be shared with the co-ordinator and social worker or family worker and will be accepted unless it puts your child at risk or does not address the original concerns.
Everyone leaves with a clear understanding of next steps and how progress will be reviewed.
Feedback from a social worker
“It has been extremely valuable in supporting families to come together in a safe, structured, and respectful way. The service empowers families to have a clear voice in decisions that affect them, helping to build shared understanding, ownership, and support plans that can be sustainable.”
Feedback received from families was that they feel “listened to and supported”, which strengthens relationships and promotes positive outcomes for children.
Want to know more?
We currently accept internal referrals only from Oldham Council Children’s Services
If you are a family member or partner agency and think a Family Group Decision Making meeting may help, please speak to your allocated Social Worker or Family Worker, who can discuss the option with you.
Contact details
For more information, please email: FamilyDecisionMaking@oldham.gov.uk