Practice guidelines for developing FGC service elements

The guidelines and practice protocols required for the implementation of an FGC Service are contained in this report. The contribution of many participants who have engaged in the research, training and service developments in various projects in Ireland is acknowledged. Aspects of this work has been developed as part of consultancy in a number of health boards (O’Brien, 1999, 2000)

In introducing a FGC into an agency, it is generally considered that attention needs to be given to six main elements. The elements are comprised of the:
-Fit with existing policies and procedures
-Management structures: committee and project manager
-Provision of co-ordination service
-Referral criteria
-Training required
-Evaluation

Each element is dealt with in turn, with a number of key comments and pertinent questions that needs to be addressed under each section.

Originally published as an appendix in O'Brien, V. (2002) Family group conference pilot project : evaluation report