Mahesh, Sharanya, Tew, Jerry, Mitchell, Mary, Au, Kar Man, Nicholls, Vicky, Quinn Aziz, Abyd, Johnson, Miranda and Vincent, TK
2025.
What is Family and Group Conferencing for adults? Part 1: Characterising the model and methods of enquiry.
NIHR Open Research
5
, 20.
10.3310/nihropenres.13811.2
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Abstract
Family and Group Conferencing (FGC) is a relatively new strengths-based approach applied to adults needing social care and mental health support in the UK. The approach is well established within children’s services however, few services currently offer FGCs to adults and therefore, there is limited evidence regarding how FGCs work and what difference it can make in peoples’ lives in the UK. This paper (Part 1) sets out to fill this notable gap and address the first of the two related research questions- aiming to characterise the practice model(s) that pertain to the context of adults’ FGC currently offered. The study employs a mixed methods research design, drawing on a literature review, national survey, semi-structured interviews and a deliberation forum to inform our findings. There is some variation in the current practice model (s) offered by services, but the overall approach is underpinned by a relatively consistent set of values and principles although, these are implicit. FGC offers a staged approach which can enable people and their networks to take greater control over their support arrangements. It is seen as an appropriate service offer across all adult and mental health services with the potential to result in a range of positive outcomes (as will be discussed in Part 2). Central to achieving this is flexibility within the service offer to accommodate the social and cultural needs of the individual and their network, the independence of the FGC coordinator, the necessity of sufficient preparation of all participants, and rapport building in advance of the Conference.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Date Type: | Published Online |
| Status: | Published |
| Schools: | Schools > Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education) |
| Publisher: | F1000Research |
| ISSN: | 2633-4402 |
| Date of First Compliant Deposit: | 17 December 2025 |
| Last Modified: | 17 Dec 2025 14:22 |
| URI: | https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/183313 |
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