Family Network Meetings - further information
Information for children and young people
At your family network meeting (FNM) you, your family and others who care about you will meet. This may include brothers, sisters, mums, dads, aunties, uncles, grandparents, close family friends or anyone else you think can help. Together, you will make a plan that works for you and your family. Getting everyone together to think and talk about things can make a difference.
View the animation below, or download our Family Network Meetings - A guide for young people (PDF, 1.2 MB).
Family Network Meeting, formerly Family Group conference.
How do we support you?
Your family meeting will be set up by an FNM coordinator. Their role it is to arrange the meeting and to help the people who will be attending. They will help you to decide when and where the meeting takes place.
You can have someone to support you to say what you want to say. This is usually someone who you already know and trust (e.g. a teacher, support worker, youth worker for example) or someone we can arrange for you. It is really important that everyone hears what you want to happen.
Here is a little bit more information about a service we can request to support you. It is your choice whether you would like anyone to help you.
Barnardo's Children's Rights Project (PDF, 103 KB)
What happens at the meeting?
Your family network meeting will be split up into three parts. You can take a break from the meeting at any time if you feel this would be helpful.
Part 1 is all about you and your family and you can ask any questions you like.
We will talk about:
- What’s going well
- What are the worries
- What support is available
Everyone invited to your family network meeting will be there during this part.
Part 2 is 'private family time' where you, your family and friends can make your plan.
No workers (social workers for example) will be at this part of the meeting. You can ask for your coordinator or advocate to be there.
Part 3 is where you share your family plan with your social worker and coordinator. Your coordinator will then offer you and your family another meeting to see how your plan is working. After the meeting you will receive your own copy of your family plan.