Family group conference pilot project : evaluation report

This report has been commissioned to appraise and draw together the main findings of a small Pilot Project on Family Group Conferences (FGCs) aimed at examining the specific fit between family group conferencing and child protection. This is an aspect that had not been previously pilot-tested specifically in Ireland. The pilot project was conducted in the North Tipperary Community Care Area of the Mid-Western Health Board (MWHB) over the period September 2001 to February 2002. The report first describes the FGC process and the pilot project. It provides details of the Conferences held as part of the Pilot Project, as well as the views of the multiple participants involved. The report analyses and presents findings and recommendations.