The Benefits of accredited
training for
FGC Co-ordinators and how
Accreditation supports Practice.
Marie Gribben
FGC Forum N Ireland
What makes a good FGC Co-ordinator?
How can we ensure that every FGC
Coordinator is a good Co ordinator?
How can we ensure that training translates
into learning and practice?
How can we be sure that all FGC Services
are good FGC Services?
Workshop Objectives
To share the Accreditation process and content
in N Ireland
To explore the benefits of Accreditation of FGC
Co ordinators
To share how Accreditation is supporting FGC
Practice.
To explore how can we ensure the Best practice
in FGC.
Where We Are
4
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is a small country.
Part of the UK at 243, 610 sq Km ,
N Ireland is only 14,148 sq Km - just over a
third of the size of the Netherlands
N Ireland has a population of only 1.8 m
(as compared to 2.7m in the city of
Amsterdam).
FGC Services
 N Ireland is organised into 5 Health and Social Care
Trusts
 Each Trust has a FGC Service
 Services in 4 Trust Areas are run in-house by an
Independent Team within Social Services
 Voluntary Organisations run FGC Service in 2 Trust
Areas.
 Since 2006 the Dept of Health in N Ireland has set
“priority for action” targets for FGC – “that 500 children to
have experienced an FGC each year”.
 Services have met and surpassed the target each year.
 Family Group Conference Forum (NI)
RP in N Ireland
Restorative
Practices
Youth Justice
Youth Conferencing
Community Services
Communities
PSNI
Education
Residential Care
Barnardos
Families FGC
Education
Barnardos
Process to Accreditation
Multi agency discussions from 2003 with
University of Ulster
6 + Training Providers in RP – 4 in FGC
Wish to standardise and consolidate training and
consider accreditation
Nov 2005 -Postgraduate Certificate/ Diploma
and Masters validated at University of Ulster.
First FGC intake Spring 2008
To date 71 FGC Co ordinators accredited
Lecturers are experienced RP / FGC
practitioners and managers
Dip / Masters in RP
FGC sits as a module within the RP Course
Other Modules include Foundation skills in RP;
Developing skills in RP; Reflective Practice; RP
with Harm,Loss and Grief; The History of RP,
Theory and Research.
Modules are marked at Undergraduate or Post
graduate level to include all potential
practitioners.
Each module is worth 20 credits (under revision)
3 Modules = Cert, 6 Modules =Diploma
9Modules/ Dissertation = Masters
FGC Module
Partnership between FGC Forum N.
Ireland, University of Ulster, Social
Services Training Depts.
Linked to PQ framework for Social
Workers
Dept of Health accepted the module for
PQ funding.
Dept of Justice/ Voluntary Organisations
funded non social work trainees.
Accreditation Process
- 2 routes
A.P.E.L.- Experienced Co
New Co ordinators
ordinators
 Attend Introductory Day
 Have previously attended 3
days training course
 Organisational Support
(not accredited)
 3 days FGC Training at UU
 Mentored through an FGC  Have completed 3 FGCs in
last 3 years.
 Essay 4,000 words –
reflective practice of FGC  Attend 1 day at UU looking at
FGC context, research and
process and understanding
principles
of FGC principles,
 6,000 word essay on
research, context.
reflective practice
 Meeting with Subject expert
Content FGC Module
Introductory Day- Course Outline, Expectations,
Content synopsis.
3 Training Days – History and Context of FGC,
Principles and Values, FGC Process, Interface
with Social Services, Engagement skills,
Facilitation Skills .
Mentored Work – FGC from referral to Review.
Guidance, support and shadowing.
Essay – 4,000 words with focus on reflective
practice within context of legislation, policy and
Research.
Challenges
Not to “over professionalise” FGC Co ordinators
Getting the Training Content agreed with
emphasis on Skill development – benchmarking
Funding for the potential trainees to attend.
External assessor criticism - need to set FGC
within RP framework , need to ensure objective
criticism of FGC rather than promoting the
model.
Benefits
Standardisation of Training provided.
Trainers all experienced co ordinators/
managers .
Benchmarking of knowledge and skills of
N Ireland Co ordinators
Mentoring allows for practice support and
challenge.
 Co ordinators become experienced in
reflective practice
Supporting Practice
 Themes emerging from APEL essays
inform projects and give basis for
discussions with Social Services as
partners Hugh Campbell et al University of Ulster
1. Respect shown to families
2. Time required to engage families
3. Crucial relationship between referring
Social Worker and FGC Co ordinator
4. Importance of the Voice of child / young
person
Ensuring Integrity of FGC
Projects in N Ireland
Adherence to N Ireland Standards for FGC.....
STANDARD ONE
The FGC Service will provide a high quality
service which works within the FGC Standards
Independence of FGC Co-ordinator
Co ordinator training in FGC model and skills.
FGC Manager provides Supervision to Co-rdinator.
FGC Manager to oversee and ensure a responsive
and accountable delivery of the Service
Ensuring Integrity cont
Adherence to Dept of Health and Social
Services N Ireland Regional Guidance for FGC
Accredited FGC Co-ordinators
Formal Supervision of Co-ordinators
Peer Support Sessions
Focus on Reflective Practice
Circle of feedback through Training Course
 Research – “Long Term Outcomes”
Overview and connection through FGC Forum.