Family group conference and mediation service
Family Group Conferences (FGC)
FCG offer families the opportunity to meet in a safe and neutral environment to discuss and agree a future focused plans for their children and families.
Children and young people's safety, wellbeing concerns and decisions about where they will live can be discussed in these meetings. Families who engage in FGC are involved fully in decision making and benefit from developing their own plan of safety, action and support.
Mediation
This is another solution focused opportunity offered to families in Gateshead. Parents, carers and young people who attend a mediation session discuss and negotiate their issues to reach an agreement that will help them move forward positively.
Requests for FGC or mediation are made by social workers in Safeguarding and Care Planning, Complex Child in Need and Assessment and Intervention teams or Early Help workers in Early Help teams within the council.
The Family Group Conference and mediation service does not offer an emergency response or crisis service for families.
Safeguarding concerns should be forwarded to Referral and Assessment Team on 0191 433 2653 or Emergency Duty Team (out of hours) 0191 477 0844 - see Worried about a child in Gateshead?