Can the Family Group Conferencing model alleviate tensions between social workers’ dual responsibility of child protection and family support?

Abstract

Social work involves making decisions that may leave families feeling hurt and victimised or conversely supported and understood. Understanding the dual mandate of care and control is crucial to making decisions which best protect children. In the UK and internationally, safeguarding legislation has, in the past, tended to reflect an emphasis on the protection of the child, rather than the preservation and strengthening of the family. This has left social workers’ professional judgement open to question. Applying the Family Group Conferencing model helps to alleviate this tension between care and control.