Tuesday 3rd February was a big day for Family and Group Conferencing for Adults as we hosted a Celebration Event in Camden, bringing together over 60 colleagues from across the country. It was a focused and energising day that showed just how far FGC for Adults has come, and with big visions for where it can go next.
We were delighted to begin with Chief Social Worker for Adults Sarah McClinton, who set out the national landscape and the relevance of neighbourhood health. It was really helpful framing for the rest of the day, grounding FGC firmly within the NHS 3 big “shifts” of our time!
Prof Jerry Tew and Dr Phil Kinghorn then shared their latest research findings and updates adding to the growing evidence base for FGC for Adults. It was really powerful to hear this research conclude with solid new evidence of the cost benefit to the “system” of doing this in amongst the well-evidenced outcomes for people, their families and their networks. This was followed by Lisa Smith from Research in Practice, who introduced new resources commissioned as part of the University of Birmingham research designed to support consistent and confident practice across services.
A group from Camden then gave a brilliant presentation, led by Sean Ahern, Kat Hartnett and colleagues. This offered a really helpful picture of how FGC for Adults is working on the ground in Camden and the value of close partnership with health. This really brought it to life as always in a really helpful way.
In the afternoon, Yasmin and Sally from Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust talked us through their experience of embedding FGC in hospital discharge pathways, including work with mental health services and people drawing upon them. The story shared was really powerful.
Tim Fisher (Relational Activism) then helped us explore the links between children’s and adults’ FGC, and the opportunities that could arise from the national move toward mandatory Family Group Decision Making in children’s services. Tim brought in Lauren from Perth and Kinross to share their work on using FGC with young adults during transitions (moving from Children’s – Adults services) too.
We closed with a huge thank you to Prof Jerry Tew for all he has done to make this happen as well as practical tools and support available to help areas strengthen or grow FGC for Adults. This included the Test and Learn Together programme which Community Catalysts are delighted to be partnering with Camden to deliver.
Across the event there was a clear sense of shared purpose. FGC for Adults now has a growing and strong evidence base, powerful practice examples and increasing momentum behind it.
Thank you to everyone who contributed and attended. It felt like an important and constructive moment.
Nick Sinclair