Daybreak Family Group Conferences

Alison Powney

and

Gerie Petrou

The Daybreak Dove Family Group Conference

Programme Conceived in 1999 Multi-agency funded Implemented in Basingstoke

and Deane Multi-agency Steering Group First referrals 2000

Participation

Only work with families who want to work with us

Work inclusively with perpetrator

Centralise vulnerable adult throughout the process

Three stages of the FGC

Stage 1 - Information giving

Stage 2 - Private Family Time

Stage 3 - Agreeing the plan

… informed development Prescriptive multi-agency participation:

Children’s Services/Adult Services Dept(where involved with family)

Police – invited to attend meeting whether been involved with family or not

Health – Health Visitor/School nurse School – where applicable

Other agencies identified as necessary, ie. Housing, drug and alcohol services, Homestart, Sure Start etc

… importance of agency inclusion Safety – the safety of all participants is

paramount Network – to burst secrecy and begin

to develop the network of increased safety and support around vulnerable family members, particularly child/ren

Partnership – in line with recommended agency partnership working around DV and aids in the shifting of power and control

Benefits of positive multi-agency participation Recognising and understanding importance

of situation … reinforcing message Rounded view of concerns from different

agencies … Information on resources available, ie,

perpetrator programme, victim support opportunities, parenting courses through Health, activities to enhance well being for children through school, etc …

Ensure the network of information, support and safety is developed …

Some considerations … Coordinator must have very good

understanding of domestic violence and the dynamics

Coordinator role is often also educative

Assessment made to consider if FGC is appropriate & if perpetrator will be invited to attend the meeting

What have we learnt …

Caution – the cycle of violence … Tension around the child’s

voice/involvement … advocacy The strength of message to family comes

from multi-agency information - best outcomes …

Safety considerations are of key importance before, during and after the meeting …

Latest information on outcomes for referrals 09-10… After attendance at a Dove Project

Conference there was a decrease in the number of crime reports received by Hampshire Constabulary for 63% of the families.

In the six months following the FGC, 27% of the families had not come back to police attention

The Daybreak Bluebird Family Group Conference

Programme

Conceived in 2006 Comic Relief funding

secured Implemented across

Hampshire Multi-agency Steering Group First referrals 2007

My story

Gerie Petrou