Participation and partnership - family group conferencing in the Australian context

Abstract

This paper analyses the development of family group conferences in Victoria, Australia, in line with similar recent practice developments in the United Kingdom. A pilot project under the auspice of the Mission of St James and St John in Melbourne, Australia, is examined, and practice issues arising from the implementation of this pilot are presented. The use of family group conferences in fields other than child protection is discussed, the authors concluding that the approach has potential to alter the face of child welfare and other practice.

Key Words:

• children
• child welfare
• participation
• case planning
• substitute care