Care of children
What is a family group conference and what part can schools play?
A family group conference is a semi-formal intervention with a child’s family, whānau or family group to sort out problems with the child's or young person’s care and protection or offending.
On some occasions schools may be asked to participate in such conferences.
The function of the conferences is to:
- discuss the issues openly with the family group
- agree on the problems
- make decisions
- formulate plans to fix the problem before moving onto more serious, normally court based measures.
Children’s and Young People’s Well-being Act 1989, section 28 – Legislation website
Children’s and Young People’s Well-being Act 1989, section 258 – Legislation website
Youth justice family group conferences – Oranga Tamariki
School staff aren't expected to attend family group conferences on a regular basis. It may be more appropriate to consider other avenues for supplying relevant information to the convenor.
If you have any concerns or queries, talk to the relevant care and protection coordinator or youth justice coordinator.
Updated: June 2017
