European Network on Family Group Conference
Family is asked to make a plan first
Family group conference for Oliver
Oliver is a 4-year-old little boy. Oliver’s mother is mentally ill and his father is not yet practiced in taking on his role as a father. His parents are separated and are both in a new relationship. Oliver is a bright, cheerful and lively child. As his parents were unable to care for him, he lives with his maternal grandmother as part of a kinship care arrangement.
Oliver also has grandparents on his father’s side. He is very much loved by all of them. And everyone involved is very important to Oliver. Oliver experienced a lot in his early childhood. He has behavioural problems and requires a lot of parenting. His grandmother, with whom he still lives at the moment, is very challenged and overwhelmed by this, so that the impression has arisen that the child’s welfare is at risk. A family group conference should therefore help to find a new center of life for Oliver. The parents should take on more responsibility for Oliver again. And it should be ensured that Oliver can maintain good contact with everyone involved, including his grandmother, with whom he still lives at the moment.
The family group conference took place in Oliver’s kindergarten. Parents, grandparents on both sides, aunt, parents’ partner and friends are present. Everyone is very keen to find a good solution for Oliver and to put family conflicts and competitive thinking to one side. This worked well. His maternal grandmother was treated with respect and gratitude. Oliver’s parents decided not to place Oliver in a residential group. Oliver’s paternal grandparents will now give Oliver a new home. Contact with grandma will be maintained and the parents will be more involved in Oliver’s everyday life. The social worker agreed with the plan.
A story from Germany
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)