Family Group Conferencing with Children and Young People : Advocacy Approaches, Variations and Impacts

Family Group Conferences are seen as a progressive and influential form of practice in child welfare across the globe. This book examines and identifies variations in independent advocacy provision offered to young people and their families in relation to undertaking a FGC, and discusses how these can impact the outcomes both positively and negatively for young people involved. Using critical discourse analysis and an original theoretical framework, the outcomes of advocacy provision are examined from participants’ perspectives prior to, during, and after the FGC process has been completed. The analysis develops themes that are discussed comprehensively and recommendations are made for the enhancement of advocacy provision generally, and, for young people involved in FGC specifically. Contents 5 List of Diagrams 7 1: Introduction 8 References 13 2: Family Group Conference: Models and Processes 16 Introduction 16 Evolution of FGC Practice 17 Wagga Model 20 New Zealand FGC Model 21 Referral 21 Preparation and Planning 22 Coordination 23 Family Time 24 Community 26 Advocacy in FGC 26 Conclusion 27 References 29 3: Advocacy 33 Introduction 33 Advocacy in FGCs 37 References 42 4: Literature Review: Current and Developing Research 46 Introduction 46 International Literature Review: FGC 47 Conclusion 57 References 59 5: Children’s Rights 64 Introduction 64 References 73 6: Theory: Eco Systems, Resiliency and Social Pedagogy 76 Introduction 76 Eco Systems Theory 78 Social Pedagogy 80 Application of Theories to FGC Practice 88 Macro Systems Level 89 Macro – Exo System Levels 89 Exo – Meso System Levels 90 Meso – Micro Systems Levels 91 Conclusion 92 References 93 7: Theories of Power: Family Group Conference and Advocacy Approaches 98 Introduction 98 Critical Discourse Analysis 99 Language and Power 100 Description, Interpretation and Explanation 102 Foucault, Intersectionality and Goffman 104 Foucault 105 Intersectionality 110 Goffman 113 Summary and Conclusion 120 References 122 8: Findings Pre-conference: Demographics, Preparation and Referral and Gatekeeping 126 Introduction 126 Interviewee Demographics 127 Preparation (Pre-conference) 130 Research Background and Referral Process 131 Referral and Gatekeeping 134 References 142 9: Findings Pre-conference: Evolution of FGC: Division of Roles, Engagement and Participation 146 Evolution of FGC: Division of Roles 146 Engagement and Participation 149 References 158 10: Findings Pre-conference: Questions 160 Questions 160 Summary 172 Conclusion 174 References 175 11: Findings the Conference: Timeframes, Attendance and Focus, Family Time, the Plan, Follow Up 177 Introduction 177 Timeframes, Attendance and Focus 178 Family Time 185 The Plan 188 Follow Up 192 Conclusion 195 References 195 12: Conclusion: Summary, Areas for Future Research and Implications for Social Work Practice 200 Introduction 200 Summary 201 Foucault 201 Intersectionality 202 Goffman 202 Variations in Advocacy Approach 203 Contrasting Emphases on ‘Best Interests’ and ‘Wishes and Feelings’ 207 Differing Focus on Young People and Family 209 The Impact of Pre-conference Questions 211 Advocacy and Empowerment 212 The Roles of Extended Family and Community Culture 214 Areas for Future Research 215 Implications for Social Work Practice 218 Conclusion 220 References 221 References 224 Index 246 Front Matter ....Pages i-vii Introduction (Darrell Fox)....Pages 1-8 Family Group Conference: Models and Processes (Darrell Fox)....Pages 9-25 Advocacy (Darrell Fox)....Pages 27-39 Literature Review: Current and Developing Research (Darrell Fox)....Pages 41-58 Children’s Rights (Darrell Fox)....Pages 59-70 Theory: Eco Systems, Resiliency and Social Pedagogy (Darrell Fox)....Pages 71-92 Theories of Power: Family Group Conference and Advocacy Approaches (Darrell Fox)....Pages 93-120 Findings Pre-conference: Demographics, Preparation and Referral and Gatekeeping (Darrell Fox)....Pages 121-140 Findings Pre-conference: Evolution of FGC: Division of Roles, Engagement and Participation (Darrell Fox)....Pages 141-154 Findings Pre-conference: Questions (Darrell Fox)....Pages 155-171 Findings the Conference: Timeframes, Attendance and Focus, Family Time, the Plan, Follow Up (Darrell Fox)....Pages 173-195 Conclusion: Summary, Areas for Future Research and Implications for Social Work Practice (Darrell Fox)....Pages 197-220 Back Matter ....Pages 221-249