European Network on Family Group Conference
Family is asked to make a plan first
When the phone rings from the hospice…
A mother of two teenage daughters had a few hours to live when the coordinator received a call from a social worker at the hospice where the mother had spent the last month of her life.
Shortly after the call, the coordinator met with mom’s siblings. The idea of meeting at the same table, including the children, appealed to them. The question for the family meeting (FGC) was how care would be provided for the children who had also lost their dad 5 years ago.
Since it was necessary to establish a guardian for the children in the next few days, the date for FGC was set for the following weekend, leaving only 8 days for FGC to prepare. In the evening, a few hours after the first contact with the family, the coordinator received a list of contacts. During the preparation of the meeting, she added a few more people. Particularly emotional was the meeting with the children (unfortunately the sisters were orphans by then) who had been living with family friends for the last month. Together they prepared the invitations for the meeting, the sisters chose the meeting place, the music and refreshments, and expressed their wish to invite their closest friends.
Everyone invited to the meeting came, even the children’s uncle, who was staying in Germany for work, came. There were 17 adults and 10 children. The meeting was very touching. It was also time-consuming. The family agreed on a guardian for the children. Offers were made to provide care for the sisters. It was agreed that all those who wanted to be involved would meet again in the next few days, including the children, and the outcome of the meeting will be communicated directly to the social worker.
The coordinator received feedback from the family a few days after FGC. They very much appreciated her help with the organisation, especially the preparation of the children for the meeting and the presence of a social worker specialised in inheritance law.
A story from the Czech Republic
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