Family group decision making is a decision-making model designed to empower children and families, help them share their views and play an active part in decisions that affect them.
The model is recognised across the world and FGDM is now available in some form in Australia, America and many countries in Europe.
This page summarises the Scottish and international learning about how FGDM can improve outcomes for children, families and professionals.
Research and Reports
Family Group Decision Making in Scotland
This report sets out a summary of findings based on research undertaken by Children First, supported by the Promise Partnership, Keep the Promise Fund, on the background, current practice and options for future development of family group decision making in Scotland.
With around two thirds of local authorities offering family group decision making and references in both legislation and policy the report concludes that there is a clear foundation to build on, with strong commitment from a range of professionals who are already helping families benefit from this model of practice. However, the report also finds clear limitations in Scotland’s framework that may act as barriers, leading to gaps in practice. The report makes four recommendations to ensure that family group decision making is available to every child who may benefit from it in Scotland, to help keep the Promise.
Family Group Decision Making Evaluation: Children First and Scottish Borders Council
Research undertaken by Robert Gordon University to explore the impact of Family Group Decision Making for families whose children were on the child protection register.
Everyone who participated in the study, which included families, young people and professionals had a positive perception of the impact of family group decision making and felt it should be expanded to include as many families as possible.
Learning from family group conferencing
Research by Dr Mary Mitchell in collaboration with Children First and the Centre for Research on Family and Relationships at the University of Edinburgh asking about the contribution that FGC makes to longer- term outcomes for children at risk of being accommodated in Scotland and for their families. The research identified the importance of giving outcomes identified by children and family members equal value to those identified by professionals.
RCT of family group conferencing at pre-proceedings stage
Taylor et al (2023)
Randomised controlled trial (RCT) carried out in England to assess the effectiveness of FGC on the intervention versus control groups. The research found that children in families referred to FGCs were statistically significantly less likely to be looked-after 12 months later. It also found that these children were less likely to enter care proceedings and that they spent less time in care in the six months following pre-proceedings.
Leeds Family Valued: Evaluation Report
Manson et al. (2017)
An evaluation of a Leeds City Council system change programme, which ran from March 2015 to December 2016 and expanded the Family Group Conferencing (FGC) service to a scale not previously seen in the UK. The evaluation found that the programme was effective, as evidence by significant reductions to the number and rate of looked after children, the number of Child Protections Plans (CPPs) produced reflecting a reduction in the number of children in need. The programme also had positive impacts on experiences of care, re-referrals for domestic violence, school attendance and workloads for practitioners. The commitment to FGC and consistent offers for FGC were met with high uptake of FGC. Conversion rates reflected national and international standards (even during a time of rapid expansion). Families reported positive experiences of FGCs. There was also a positive impact on culture. FGCs were shown to have a significant cost benefit, due to their ability to prevent children and young people from entering care / reduce their time spent in care.
Read the research here
