Family Group Decision Making

Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) is a family-led process that brings together children, parents, wider family members, friends, and other important people to make decisions about a child’s future. It provides families with the opportunity to develop their own plans and solutions while working in partnership with professionals.

FGDM creates a safe and supportive space where everyone can share their views, be listened to, and contribute to decisions that affect the child’s wellbeing. The process is coordinated by an independent facilitator who helps ensure that all participants, including children and young people, have the opportunity to take part in a meaningful way.

During an FGDM meeting, professionals provide information about any concerns, risks, or support available. The family then has dedicated private time to discuss these issues and develop a plan. This plan should address the identified concerns, build on family strengths, and promote the child’s safety, wellbeing, and long-term stability.

Our approach is based on the principles of:

• Putting children and young people at the centre of decision-making.
• Recognising the strengths and expertise within families and communities.
• Promoting family participation and choice.
• Respecting diversity, culture, identity, and individual circumstances.
• Working collaboratively to achieve positive outcomes for children.

By involving the wider family network at an early stage, FGDM can help identify sustainable support arrangements, strengthen family relationships, and reduce the need for more formal interventions where it is safe and appropriate to do so. It supports families to take ownership of plans and encourages shared responsibility for achieving positive change.

Through Family Group Decision Making, we aim to empower families, strengthen support networks, and ensure that children grow up with the care, stability, and sense of belonging they need to thrive.