Family Group Conferencing is a process that brings families together to develop solutions for the issues that children and young people are facing. In NSW it is increasingly being used in the out of home care system to support decision making processes about where children and young people in care can find a permanent placement.

This course will provide you with the mediation skills needed to successfully facilitate a family group conferencing process. It is presented in a blended delivery format, with some modules required to be completed prior to attending the face to face workshop days.

The course also includes assessment against the units of competency:

• CHCMED001 Prepare for mediation
• CHCMED002 Facilitate mediation
• CHCMED003 Consolidate and conclude mediation
• CHCCCS020 Respond effectively to behaviours of concern.

Some assessment will be conducted in the pre-workshop package and the workshop. However there will be the need to complete further assessment tasks after the workshop. This will include a simulated family group conference, which will require you to video your facilitation of a conference.

Topics covered in the course include:

• The origins of Family Group Conferencing model
• The Family Group Conference process
• Negotiation and mediation styles and techniques
• Strategies to manage and resolve conflict and other difficulties
• Working collaboratively with families and other stakeholders
• The role, tasks and skills of a facilitator

The face to face workshops focus on putting the skills learnt into practice.

Trained Family Group Conference facilitators can apply to be part of an approved panel of facilitators which is managed by the Department of Family and Community Services NSW (FACS). This course has been given approval by FACS as meeting the required qualification in mediation. However other factors are also considered in the application process for this panel and the decision is made by FACS. ACWA does not guarantee that completion of this course will lead to your placement on the approved panel.

Who should attend?

People who wish to facilitate family group conferences.