Experienced, independent FGC facilitation supporting families through child protection processes with compassion, cultural responsiveness, and expertise.
A Family Group Conference (FGC) is a structured meeting that brings together family members, community support people, and relevant professionals to make plans for a child's safety, wellbeing, and care.
At its heart, an FGC is about giving families a genuine voice in decisions that affect their children. Rather than having decisions made solely by government agencies, the FGC model recognises that families — when properly supported — are best placed to find solutions that work for their children.
The process is facilitated by an independent, neutral coordinator — Family Safe Solutions provides this service across NSW. Our role is to ensure every family member feels heard, respected, and empowered throughout the process.
Understanding what to expect can help families feel less anxious and more prepared.
An FGC is typically requested by the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), a family, or a service provider when there are concerns about a child's safety or care arrangements.
Our coordinator meets individually with family members before the conference. This is your opportunity to share your perspective, understand the process, and identify who you want to include as your support people.
At the conference, professionals share the concerns about the child. Everyone has the opportunity to ask questions and ensure they fully understand the situation.
The family meets privately — without professionals present — to develop their own plan. This is one of the most powerful aspects of FGC: families creating their own solutions.
The family's plan is presented to professionals. If it addresses the safety concerns, it becomes the agreed plan of action for the child's care and wellbeing.
A follow-up FGC or review meeting is typically scheduled to check progress against the plan and make any necessary adjustments.
Independence is critical to the integrity and effectiveness of the FGC process.
As an independent provider, we have no involvement in the decision-making about your child. Our only role is to ensure the process is fair and the family's voice is heard.
We believe families have the capacity to solve their own problems when given the right support, information, and environment to do so.
We specialise in culturally safe practices, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, ensuring cultural perspectives are respected throughout.
The child's safety and wellbeing remain at the centre of every FGC we facilitate. All plans must adequately address safety concerns before being accepted.
Our facilitators are trained professionals with extensive experience in child protection, family dynamics, and the NSW legislative framework.
Based in Broken Hill, we provide FGC services across regional and remote NSW, including via teleconference where geography is a barrier.
Contact Family Safe Solutions today. We service Broken Hill and all of NSW, including regional and remote communities.
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