Provision of Family Group Decision Making and Associated Support Services to Families, Children and Young People

Children and Young People are one of the most vulnerable groups in our society and the council has a responsibility, in conjunction with partners to act in the best interests of the Child or Young Person to ensure their wellbeing. The Children and Young People Scotland act 2014 sets out that relevant services in relation to Children at risk of becoming looked after be made available. Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) services are specifically cited as a relevant service under the 2014 Act (Relevant Services in relation to Children at Risk of Becoming Looked After etc.) Order 2016. FGDM is a strength based, solution-focused model (rather than a deficit-based problem-focused one). It is recognised that families have the ability to identify their own solutions to the challenges they face. Recognising and developing supportive relationships within families to meet the needs of the child are fundamental to family decision making services. Family Group Conference (FGC) is one of the main practices within FGDM. The service will be provided on a referral basis for the provision of Family Group Decision Making including pre and post Family Group Conferencing and support. It is expected that the service will support approximately 70 families per year. It has been recognized that this service will be required to be procured on a long-term basis as a specific requirement is that the FGC coordinator is independent. It is therefore considered that a contract of 4 years plus up to 48 months extension is considered.