Group Conferences Research Articles

Criminal defendants’ family and the death penalty in China - a case analysis

ABSTRACT The restorative justice movement has increased the rights of consciousness for crime victims and their families globally. Though the practice of family group conferences in Australia and New Zealand and the court-ordered mediation programmes in China have increasingly involved defendants and their families, their roles in the criminal justice system have not been the main focus of academic inquiries. Citing a high-profile capital case in China, the Nian Bin case, this study examines the defendant family’s strategies in seeking legal redress, managing physical, emotional and financial tolls as well as coping with the victim families, throughout their eight-year pursuit of Nian’s exoneration. Given Confucian teachings on the importance of family to the individual and the society at large, this study provides a microscopic view into various precipitating factors for a capital defendant’s family activism. It also draws broader implications for China’s criminal justice reforms and the restorative justice movement.

Therapeutic features of the family group conference model when applied for long-term social assistance recipients

ABSTRACT The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore long-term social assistance recipients´ experiences with family group conferences (FGC). Fifteen Norwegian long-term (> 6 months) social assistance recipients whom had arranged an FGC were interviewed. There were nine men and six women, age 24–64 years. The findings show that the FGC may have therapeutic features when applied in a social service context. Three features associated with family/network therapy were found: Self-disclosure, dialogic communication and improved family relationships. The possible therapeutic function of the FGC when applied for adults is potent in a social work context, as solving family conflicts and/or improving family interaction may be a prerequisite in order to achieve other desired changes among many long-term social assistance recipients.

Restorative Juvenile Justice System in the Southern Border Thailand

This research aims to study the rehabilitation of a child and juvenile before the prosecution by applying restorative justice. For the research methodology, the methods used to collect data are in-depth interviewing of judges, officers of the Juvenile and Family court, officers of the Observation and Protection Center, and the chairman of the community justice center. Moreover, the data is gathered1 by group conferences from the representatives of the community justice center, a child and juvenile from the Observation and Protection Center in Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat provinces. These collected data are analyzed through the research process for finding the research result. Based on the research, it is found that when a child or juvenile commit crimes, there is the restorative justice diverting a child and juvenile into the rehabilitation rather than entering into formal justice. This process is called the special measures in lieu of criminal prosecution, which is the alternative approach for a child and juvenile by using the rehabilitation for a child and juvenile who can reform themselves without prosecution under the law's provisions. The rehabilitation has the objectives to rehabilitate a child and juvenile's behavior, mitigate an adverse effect or damages occurred and ensure safety for the community and society. Such process supports cooperation with the community sector. For this reason, members of the community justice center could participate in preparing the rehabilitation plan together with the government sector. They could supervise and prevent a child and juvenile from committing offence again.

The GRID Network: A Community of Practice for Disability Inclusive Development

Purpose: This paper aimed to provide an overview of the evaluation of the GRID Network (Groups for Rehabilitation and Inclusive Development) and the impact it had on its members. Method: Information was collected through a compilation of the resources developed during the project, and a summative evaluation process was employed at the end of the project. The paper is a short report on the summative evaluation. Results: GRID Network members reported that the network was effective and beneficial. They developed new information and knowledge that was relevant to their local contexts; shared knowledge from local, national, and international sources; and, increased their skill in using social media for professional purposes. Recommendations include continuing with this kind of community of practice, with greater opportunities for more engagement and training; inclusion of more partner organisations; large group workshops and conferences; increased attention to advocacy for policy change; and, for more research to be carried out locally. Conclusion and Implications: This project demonstrated that it is possible to develop and maintain a community of practice in a low-resource context on a minimal budget, even during times of political crisis. Further programme development, evaluation, and research are warranted to ascertain how this model can be scaled up to include a broader group of rehabilitation and other practitioners involved in disability inclusive development.

Exploring the declining rates of state social work intervention in an English local authority using Family Group Conferences

Over the last decade England has seen rising numbers and rates of children in care and subject to child protection intervention. This article draws on national data and quantitative data from a study of ‘City’, a local authority in the north of England with a large Family Group Conference service. In distinction to national trends, City has seen substantial declines in the numbers and rates of children in care and who are subject to child protection intervention. The article analyses how notable these declines may be, comparing the declines with national trends, and exploring six-month service indicators for children who had a Family Group Conference. Implications regarding the reduction of levels of state social work intervention in family life are discussed.

Perception towards quality and effectiveness of social work education through open and distance learning

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the perception of the students towards the quality and effectiveness of social work education offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) through open and distance learning (ODL). Design/methodology/approach The sample size consisted of 150 students, 15 academic counsellors engaged in either teaching or development sectors, or faculty members of School of Social Work of IGNOU. The methods of data collection included interviews and content analysis. Interview schedule for students, interview guide for academic counsellors and interview guide for faculty members were used. Findings The study centres were allotted as per student’s choice. Students were satisfied with the counsellors because of their support, availability, contact, accessibility and assisting the students to clearing their doubts. The study found that the student’s attendance in counselling sessions was found to be negligible, even a large number of respondents were not aware of the ODL system. The study also shows that students face lots of problem with regard to their field work supervision and other components of field work as were also neglected. Practical implications The findings of the study are extremely relevant for formulating necessary guidelines for improving the social work education through ODL mode. The study recommends revision of course materials translated in Hindi language, holding of individual and group conferences regularly as well as proper evaluation of field work reports. Originality/value This is first such study conducted in India to examine the effectiveness of social work education through ODL.

Nothing about me without me: Children and young people's experiences with family group conferences

AbstractModern social work practice increasingly emphasizes the inclusion of service users in decision making during the service provision process. There is a growing movement within the child welfare system to include parents and the wider family network in decision making. However, children and young people's roles in child welfare system participatory processes where decisions are made about their lives have been understudied. The family group conference (FGC) is one such decision‐making process, which has been adopted internationally with the expectation that children and young people's voices and perspectives, along with their family members, will be elevated and influence decisions. As part of a 3‐year federal project of FGCs in one jurisdiction, this study collected fidelity data from professional and family member participants of FGCs, including children and young people. Descriptive data from a small sample of child and young people participating in FGC suggest differences in their perspectives regarding family empowerment, transparency, and inclusion in decision making, when compared with the perspectives of other family members and professionals for whom data are available. Suggestions for further reflection on FGC practice and additional ways to understand children and young people's perspectives about their involvement are noted.

Looked After Children as Decision Makers: Family Group Conferences in Practice

ABSTRACT Family Group Conferences (FGCs) are a family-led approach to social care decision making. The fundamental philosophy behind FGCs is that families are the experts on their own situations and as such should lead decision-making. The model advocates that children should be at the centre of decisions about them and should be supported to have their say at their FGC. The voice of looked after children too often gets lost in decision-making processes. Children report that professionals make decisions about them, rather than with them. FGCs have the potential to meaningfully engage with looked after children. Many services already offer FGCs to looked after children, either to consider family alternatives to local authority care, to make contact arrangements or to engage children in the care planning process. This paper will examine the use of FGCs in engaging with looked after children. It applies a case study approach, focusing on the Camden FGC Service, which has been offering FGCs to looked after children for several years. It will also draw on the existing evidence base that examines the use of FGCs with looked after children. In practice, sometimes the voice of the child can become overlooked at their FGC. Children report that their opinions get ignored by the adults in their family. Hence, this paper concludes with a discussion of how to ensure that looked after children are meaningfully engaged in decision making about their lives.

Feasibility of Family Group Conference to promote return-to-work of persons receiving work disability benefit

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of Family Group Conference for promoting return to work by clients receiving work disability benefits from the Social Security Institute in the Netherlands.Methods: We conducted a mixed-method pre- post-intervention feasibility study, using questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and return to work plans drafted in Family Group Conferences. A convenient sample of Labour experts, Clients, and Facilitators was followed for a period of six months. Feasibility outcomes were demand, acceptability, implementation and limited efficacy of perceived mental health and level of participation.Results: Fourteen labour experts and sixteen facilitators enrolled in the study. Of 28 eligible clients, nine (32%) participated in a Family Group Conference. About 78% of the Family Group Conferences were implemented as planned. Participant satisfaction about Family Group Conference was good (mean score 7). Perceived mental health and level of participation improved slightly during follow-up. Most actions in the return to work plans were work related. Most frequently chosen to take action was the participating client himself, supported by significant others in his or her social network. Six months after the Family Group Conference five participating clients returned to paid or voluntary work.Conclusions: Family Group Conference seems a feasible intervention to promote return to work by clients on work disability benefit. Involvement of the social network may have added value to support the clients in this process. An effectiveness study to further develop and test Family Group Conferences is recommended.Implications for rehabilitationFamily Group Conference may represent a promising approach to be used in activation strategies to enhance social inclusion and return to work of persons receiving disability benefits.Conventional supply-oriented activation services could be improved by providing the Family Group Conference to unemployed persons on disability benefit.Involvement of the social network may have added value for return to work of clients receiving work disability benefits.

Is Family Group Conferencing a Culturally Adequate Method outside the Origin of New Zealand? A Systematic Review

It is generally assumed that Family Group Conference (FGC) is a culturally adequate method for social work in indigenous communities. In this meta-synthesis, we question this assumption. Through systematic and strategic searches, we explored the existing trends of FGC research in indigenous contexts. We have included 26 articles are included in the literature review. Our analyses reveal that there is a tendency towards taking the cultural adequacy of FGC for granted. A few researchers question these assumptions, and debate tokenism and colonialism in social work. We argue that implementing FGC in new communities requires foundation in local, cultural context.

Family group decision-making interventions in adult healthcare and welfare: a systematic literature review of its key elements and effectiveness

BackgroundFamily group decision-making (FGDM) is a structured decision-making process, aiming to shift the balance of power from professional towards the person in need and their family. It differentiates from other...

Family Group Conferences in coercive psychiatry: understanding relational dynamics by plugging in Bourdieu

ABSTRACT Alternatives for coercive treatment in psychiatry, based on partnership between clients, social networks and social workers, need to be given full attention. Despite its potential to inhibit isolation, self-exclusion and reduce coercion, organising Family Group Conferences (FGC) in this field is complex. The process of a FGC may evoke shame and unbelief in the willingness of people to help out. Furthermore a lack of reciprocity in relationships can contribute to the stagnation of the FGC process. The goal of this article is to understand relational dynamics between clients, relatives and friends in the carrying out of a FGC, by applying theoretical concepts on symbolic capital, recognition, reciprocity and gift giving derived from Bourdieu. Using the analytical strategy of ‘thinking with theory’, we selected three FGCs suitable for illuminating both challenges and opportunities, viewing each FGC as a social field. Bourdieu’s theoretical concepts help to understand and overcome difficulties in organising a FGC so participants can discuss, decide and negotiate relational dynamics in the field. Working with FGCs requires for social workers a shift in doing and thinking, facilitating the primary group to discuss expectations, diffusion of tasks, commitments and plans.

Спроведувањето на семејни групни конференции во системот за грижа за деца и млади во Австрија/Каринтија - предизвици и придобивки

Спроведувањето на семејни групни конференции во системот за грижа за деца и млади во Австрија/Каринтија - предизвици и придобивки

Flathead Lake Biological Station: Sentinel of the Lake Since 1899

Flathead Lake Biological Station: Sentinel of the Lake Since 1899

Balancing Justice and Welfare Needs in Family Group Conferences for Children with Harmful Sexual Behavior: The HSB-FGC Framework

ABSTRACT In England and Wales, family group conferences (FGCs) are most often found either in the field of youth justice or in the field of child protection, and consequently often have priorities in line with either one of the two systems. On the one hand, FGCs are a restorative justice tool to address offending behavior and hold young perpetrators to account, while giving victims the possibility of contributing to the justice process. On the other hand, FGCs address safeguarding concerns and are used to plan for child safety and protection. In cases where a young person has sexually harmed another young person, that is, has perpetrated harmful sexual behavior (HSB), all young people involved will have both justice and welfare needs. FGCs are emerging as promising mechanisms in such cases, not only because of their ability to deal with both sets of needs for both young people but also because of their potential to address more holistic needs. However, HSB cases are often complex and sensitive, and are not without risk. Drawing on their experiences in research and practice, the authors explore how the holistic needs of both the harmed and harming individual can be balanced within a risk managed HSB-FGC framework.

Abstract P-088: HOW MANY NWTS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A REGION? THE PROVISION OF A REGIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME BY A PAEDIATRIC TRANSPORT TEAM

Aims & Objectives: In addition to transporting critically ill children throughout the North West, The North West and North Wales Paediatric Transport Service (NWTS) offer education and outreach to 32 District General Hospitals, reaching over 1000 nurses, ODP, ANP’S and consultant and trainee anaesthetists, paediatricians, intensivists and emergency physicans annually. Methods The NWTS education team (led by a Consultant and Clinical Nurse Specialists, supported by educational Clinical Fellows and administrator) aim to engage as many colleagues as possible by utilising a variety of educational strategies such as outreach, Paediatric Critical Care Network medical and nurses sub group meetings, debriefs, conferences, and postgraduate teaching for both nursing and medical staff. Since the commencement of our outreach service in 2010, annual individualised outreach sessions are offered to each DGH in the region. Results Last year over 1000 professionals accessed our education programmes with up to 72 attendees per session. We have received excellent feedback - “Good to hear different experts and specialities offer their ideas / advice, improving thoughts on approach to sick child and managing this, understanding the best use of inotropes and airway problem solving” Conclusions Our main focus for future sessions is to encourage a wider variety of professionals to attend, as learning opportunities are enhanced when a number of teams come together. New technology such as teleconferencing will increase our capabilities both in the acute setting and for debrief and teaching opportunities. The forthcoming ‘Little Airways’ course aims to increase the clinical skills and confidence of DGH staff in managing the neonatal/infant airway.

Family Group Conferences: An Opportunity to Re-Frame Responses to the Abuse of Older People?

Recent legislative and policy changes in adult social care have refocused attention on a strengths-based approach to social work practice. The Care Act 2014 advocates a more inclusive and holistic understanding of individual well-being, which is evident by its expectation of more personalised responses to safeguarding. Family Group Conferences (FGCs) fit well with this policy shift but require further exploration before being integrated into work with adults. A fictitious case study was analysed through an organic group discussion, during which the authors applied their professional expertise to explore the appropriateness of FGCs to provide a response to adult-safeguarding cases. FGCs provide a viable alternative to traditional decision-making approaches in the adult-safeguarding field. The case analysis exposes three main areas that require further consideration to ensure effective implementation. The areas identified are divided into mental capacity, risk and funding. It is important that policy makers and local authorities acknowledge the complexity of transferring an approach originally designed for working with children and families to the context of social work with older adults. More effort should be made to address the practice tensions outlined within the article. Keywords: Family Group Conference, adult safeguarding, older adults, elder abuse, the Care Act Accepted: April 2018

‘When you're sitting in the room with two people one of whom… has bashed the hell out of the other’: Possibilities and challenges in the use of FGCs and restorative approaches following domestic violence

Domestic violence continues to be a primary reason for referrals to state child welfare services in advanced industrialised countries. There is growing concern in many state child welfare services to develop responses to it that are both more effective and more humane. The use of restorative approaches, in particular Family Group Conferences (FGCs), has been suggested as one such response. This article draws from data gathered from an evaluation of a UK Government funded “Innovation Project” part of which extended the use of FGCs in an urban local authority area which was already making extensive use of them. This paper presents and explores a typology of FGCs used in situations of domestic violence: pragmatic, resolution-focussed and restorative FGCs, developed from the evaluation data and augmented by relevant literature. The study data revealed pragmatic FGCs to be the most used, restorative the least. It is suggested that each type of FGC brings potential benefits but only restorative FGCs offer the possibility of full restoration in the traditionally understood sense. It is argued that the present mother-centric, risk-adverse, child protection systems which currently operate in many countries provide a powerful resistor to the greater implementation of this restorative way of working.

Effects of family group conferences among high-risk patients of chronic disability and their significant others: study protocol for a multicentre controlled trial

IntroductionMany patients and family members experience a large gap between the protected environment during inpatient medical rehabilitation and life in the community after discharge. They feel insufficiently prepared to cope...

Learning to be a mentor.

My early experiences mentoring undergraduate students didn't go well. My first attempt came during the second year of my Ph.D. I was still trying to learn some lab techniques myself, and I wasn't sure whether I would be able to invest the time needed to train a student. But I was interested in developing my mentoring skills, and my adviser encouraged me to give it a try. The student required hand-holding and close monitoring, and it quickly became evident that the collaboration wasn't working. After similar false starts with a few more students, I ended up being reluctant to work with undergraduate researchers at all—until a new student helped me realize what is required to mentor undergraduates, and the rewards it can bring. ![Figure][1] ILLUSTRATION: ROBERT NEUBECKER > “It has been a joy to watch Karina mature as an able scientist.” I met Karina when she was a sophomore, and I ended up working with her until she defended her senior thesis. She was smart and eager to learn, asking all the right questions, and I felt she might finally be the right fit. Moreover, the timing was right. My experiences with previous undergraduates had prepared me to set appropriate expectations and gradually build on them. As a third-year student, I was also ready to delegate and give her room to grow. Here are the lessons that working with Karina taught me. SHOW THE BIG PICTURE. Most undergraduates are completely new to research, so it is crucial to explain the broader context for the work and justify its importance. This will provide an overall goal, which will help get students interested and keep them focused as they learn the ropes. In my first meeting with Karina, I talked through a highly simplified slide deck about the project, explaining its goals and getting her excited about working on it. Describing my research in this simplified manner also helped me develop my own communication and storytelling skills. During my job interview at my current company, I used a similar approach. INTRODUCE THE LITERATURE. Keeping up with the scientific literature is crucial for any researcher. But undergraduate students may not know this. Even if they do, they may feel overwhelmed by the volume and technical language. To help Karina start building her literature knowledge and confidence, I sent her relevant papers and followed up with discussions. These conversations also helped me deepen my understanding of my research and think about it in new ways. OFFER OWNERSHIP. Once they feel ready, having students own and drive a small part of a research project creates accountability. When the time was right, I split my project into two distinct components and gave one to Karina. She made some mistakes, as we all do, and at times I felt the research would progress more efficiently if I just did it myself. But because I gave her room to explore and make mistakes, Karina ultimately became more independent and moved her project faster than she would have if I had continued holding her hand. GIVE THEM THE STAGE. Encourage students to speak independently about their work, for example at group meetings and conferences, and urge them to apply for fellowships. In our lab's monthly group meetings, Karina always presented the progress we had made together. She practiced her presentation skills and ability to answer questions, and in return I got a chance to see our work from a fresh perspective and to identify areas that needed more attention. Working with Karina also brought valuable personal rewards. She offered crucial companionship during my doctoral project, which could often feel like a solitary endeavor. When I experienced setbacks, Karina's small successes and her excitement about them helped keep me motivated. It has been a joy to watch Karina mature as an able scientist. In the end, helping her along the way is as important an accomplishment for me as finishing my own degree. [1]: pending:yes