Who has FGCs?
These family stories give us an idea of what sort of people have FGCs*:

The Smith Family
The Smiths are a family with a four and a half year old child and a two year old child. The children were living with their mum after the parents had separated. Mum Tina had stopped the children’s contact with their Dad, because she thought that contact was not in their best interests. He was now trying to get contact though the Family Courts.

Karlsson family
This was a referral for James, a young man of 13. James' relationship with his parents had broken down, he was drinking, he had been permanently excluded from school and was getting into trouble with the law. At the time of the referral he was living with a friend, as he had left home and didn't want to be put into social services accommodation.

James had lots of different workers involved with him and his parents were trying to help, but they all felt they had reached a deadlock.

There was a series of three FGCs, attended by James his extended family and a wide range of professionals. It was decided that the professionals should continue to meet with the James and his parents on a regular basis after the FGC process had finished. James went back to his parents' care and they and all the workers reported major improvements in him.

Shirley Family
The focus of the referral was Lisa, aged 13, and her 5 year old brother, Karl. They had been put into their grandmother's care by Social Services, because their mum had problems with her mental health and alcohol abuse. At the time of the referral Lisa was in foster care, as she had fallen out with her grandmother. At the FGC she had an independent Advocate to support her and help her tell the family about her feelings.

At the first meeting the family planned for Lisa to return to her grandmother's, with increased contact with her mother. The family plan ultimately aimed for the children to return to their mum, so the second meeting in particular also looked at the mother’s needs in order for her to achieve and maintain good mental health her and tackle her alcohol abuse problems. Both children are now back living with their mother.

What families say about their FGC:

“Everyone presented their thoughts and was given every opportunity to be heard.” A Relative

“Everyone at the meeting was very respectful of the other persons’ views and listened with consideration.” A relative

“At first hearing the bad news I though all our hopes were useless. Now I feel reassured all is and will be done for [the child’s] best interests.” A Relative

“Thank you for helping [me]”. A child

“[The FGC was] a very useful event. I hope [the child] will be as forthcoming I the future. A good foundation has been laid for the future.” A Relative

“I respect that with all the intended planning put in place, there may be the occasional hiccough and things may have to be reviewed, but I feel confident that overall [the plan] will go unchallenged and that [the child] will feel more relaxed and comfortable.” An Aunt

“I thought FGC is a very useful and excellent service.” A Parent

“Everyone was very open about what was best for the child” A Grandfather