The Benefits of accredited training for FGC Co-ordinators and how Accreditation supports Practice. Marie Gribben FGC 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 Youth Conferencing Community Services PSNI Communities Education Residential Care Barnardos Families FGC Education Barnardos

Process to Accreditation  Multi agency discussions from 2003 with University of Ulster  6 + Training Providers in RP – 4 in FGC  Wish to standardise and consolidate training and consider accreditation  Nov Postgraduate Certificate/ Diploma and Masters validated at University of Ulster.  First FGC intake Spring 2008  To date 71 FGC Co ordinators accredited  Lecturers are experienced RP / FGC practitioners and managers

Dip / Masters in RP  FGC sits as a module within the RP Course  Other 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 ordinators  Getting 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-ordinator  Co 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-ordinators  Formal Supervision of Co-ordinators  Peer Support Sessions  Focus on Reflective Practice  Circle of feedback through Training Course  Research – “Long Term Outcomes”  Overview and connection through FGC Forum.