Contact: Janet Féat 01962 847183 [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the Executive Member for Children's Services approves:

a) The revised specification for the service

b) The new management and staffing arrangements for the Family Group Conference service

That a further report will be submitted after the first full year of the unified FGC service

2 Reason

2.1 This supports the corporate strategy for making Hampshire safer and more secure for all by increasing the possibility that children will be diverted from public care and be cared for safely within their extended family and community and attend, enjoy and achieve at school. It supports maximising wellbeing by helping people feel informed and empowered and requires working in partnership with both families and other agencies. It seeks to improve services to the community by enabling a more systematic and consistent use of FGCs across Hampshire. Finally, it increases the opportunity for staff to practise in a way which has been shown to be empowering of families and which prioritises family members' participation in key decisions which affect their family.

2 Other Options considered and rejected:

The Hampshire Family Group Conference Service has come into being after considering the other options of a non-unified FGC service and a unified service provided by a voluntary organisation.

3 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

Not applicable

4 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

Not applicable

5 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent -

Not applicable

Approved by: Date:

Councillor Felicity Hindson MBE

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services