The Benefits of accredited training for

FGC Co-ordinators and how Accreditation supports Practice.

Marie GribbenFGC 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.

4

Where We Are

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 Communities Residential Care

Barnardos

Youth Conferencing Community Services PSNI Education

Families FGC

Education Barnardos

Process to AccreditationMulti agency discussions from 2003 with

University of Ulster6 + 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 accreditedLecturers are experienced RP / FGC

practitioners and managers

Dip / Masters in RP FGC sits as a module within the RP CourseOther 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

New Co ordinators Attend Introductory Day Organisational Support 3 days FGC Training at UU Mentored through an FGC Essay 4,000 words –

reflective practice of FGC process and understanding of FGC principles, research, context.

A.P.E.L.- Experienced Co ordinators

Have previously attended 3 days training course (not accredited)

Have completed 3 FGCs in last 3 years.

Attend 1 day at UU looking at FGC context, research and principles

6,000 word essay on 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 ordinatorsGetting 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-ordinatorCo 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-ordinatorsFormal Supervision of Co-ordinatorsPeer Support Sessions Focus on Reflective Practice Circle of feedback through Training Course Research – “Long Term Outcomes” Overview and connection through FGC Forum.