1. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
Project ”Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education“ Workshop on the topic: „Models for Working with Families” FAMILY GROUP CONFERENCES
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

2. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
The Family group conference is an opportunity for children, families and specialists
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

3. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
Why this model?
We look for ways of working and approaches to support families at risk /with problems or difficulties/ to be able to provide good care to children and family members
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

4. What is the Family group conference?
The Family Group Conference is a way to find solutions to various problems, as children, parents, members of the extended family, friends, gather together to make a plan.
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

5. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
Not just innovation but a model with clear principles and standards based on international documents adopted by Bulgaria
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
Convention on Human Rights
United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

6. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
Social work Education Building relationships between people
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

7. Relationships between people
They easily break apart. Hard to be kept up. Very difficult to recover. They need time.
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

8. FAMILY GROUP CONFERENCE
Referring
Independent coordinator
Sharing information
Family private time
Accepting the plan
Preparation
Supervision
Review

9. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
How do we know that?
We have been supporting projects for over 20 years - with funding, training, exchange of experience, information, materials ...
We talk to colleagues, professionals, children, parents, elderly people, youths, agencies and ministries, municipalities …
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

10. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
All specialists state that working with families is very important, parental and family involvement is essential, but ... “they are not interested, do not include, do not come, do not understand, are not active, have no capacity, are not responsible, difficult / impossible to be engaged ...”
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

11. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
Our aim
People living well
Children and young people fully developing their potential A society in which people are socially involved, responsible, engaged, and helping one another
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

12. To live well people need:
To be part of a community in which they are accepted and desired;
To be able not only to receive but also to contribute to this community;
To participate in social life;
To be co-authors of their lives and the world they live in.
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

13. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
Things from real life…
Changes happen ... Desired - unwanted, waited - unexpected, slow - sudden, nice - scary, planned - unforeseen … What is our role?
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

14. Different systems Institutions: Families: Regulations, laws - Unique
Procedures Different
Requirements Expectations
Sanctions Motivation
Two ways of decision-making
Professionals Family groups
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

15. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
Services
Services are available in a predefined format, location, time, access
Service menu
Experts know best
Professionals decide - what, when, where ...
They are experts Children and families are adjusting
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

16. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
As a result
Learned helplessness
Socially awaited responses
Dependence
Disclaimer
Refusal to participate
High social cost
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

17. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
The family group conference allows a discourse between two systems of legitimate interest:
The law of the state
- The law of the family
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

18. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
Professionals do not decide - they offer the necessary information and services
Families decide and take responsibility
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

19. SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES: HANDBOOK (McKeown, 2010)
Social network of the client and context
Attitude
Client/worker
30%
40%
Hope of the client
15%
Тechnics
15%

20. Family group conference
Phases
Referring
Preparation
Family group conference
Sharing information
Family private time
Accepting the plan
Supervision
Review
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

21. Principles/characteristics
It is a decision making model;
The family and its social network remain owner of the conference – their people, their problem, their time, their food, their plan….;
The coordinator is independent;
The family has the right of information, private time and unconditional acceptance of the plan /unless the plan is unsafe or illegal/
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

22. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
Values
All families have the right of respect from the state
Children have the right to maintain family and cultural relations
Children and parents are part of wider family systems
The state must protect the relative networks
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

23. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
Values
Family groups are experts on their issues - they are best acquainted with their own problems
Active participation of the family group is essential for good results
The family group is the context of the solution
Family groups are able to manage and represent themselves
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

24. Family group conference Referring
The referrer:
Has a clear view of the situation;
Knows how FGC works
Establishes if there is a threat to the child(ren)s safety;
Clearly formulates what changes have to be made;
Talks over the possibility of FGC with the family;
Motivates the family to use this opportunity;
Is ready to take part in the Family group conference and to accept the plan ( if there is no harmful elements for the child)
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

25. Family group conference Referring
Local managing NGO:
Receives information from the referrer;
Gives advice on situations that are presented;
Has a say in whether the FGC is an appropriate means in this situation;
Has the reasons for the conference clearly defined;
Knows the expectations and worries of the referrer;
Checks if the referrer is aware of his/her task and responsibilities with regards to the FGC;
Finds a fitting coordinator;
Enrolls the conference at the database
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

26. Family group conference Referring
The independent coordinator:
Checks if FGC suits him/her;
Finds out if he/she has enough information;
Finds out whether the information needed is available;
Finds out whether he/she has the time and possibility;
Finds out if there are counter-indications (neighborhood, acquaintances);
Cooperates with family, region manager, referrer and social care worker(s).
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

27. Family group conference Referring
The managing NGO:
Signs a contract with the coordinator;
Provides the coordinator with a telephone, stationery, business cards, leaflets;
Forwards a set of registration forms;
Makes an advance payment;
Serves as a helpdesk.
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

28. Family group conference Preparation
The independent coordinator:
Talks to the family and gathers information about the family circle;
Establishes contacts with the child and family members, friends,
neighbours ...;
Explains what FGC is and encourages them to participate;
Together with the regional manager provides a venue, food and beverages, toys ...;
Specifies with the referrer minimum requirements, if any.
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

29. Family group conference І Phase: Information
The social worker or another specialist who referred the family to FGC:
Presents the problem briefly in a clear and understandable way. If necessary, another person (e.g. teacher) is included;
Explains the limitations and responsibilities that arise from the law (if necessary in the case);
Formulates minimum requirements for the plan;
Provides information on the options for support and types of social services offered as consciously does not influence family decisions.
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

30. Family group conference ІІ Phase: Family private time
Only family members and invited people remain. The others leave the room:
Family members talk, ask, discuss, offer ...;
They make a plan that everyone agrees to and record it;
Consider the implementation of the plan in details with specific engagements - who will do what which they also record;
Together they decide who, when and how they will evaluate the plan's implementation, and what they will do if the plan is not implemented properly.
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

31. Family group conference ІІ Phase: Family private time
It is important for the family to discuss the situation alone and make a plan because:
No one knows the problem better than the people in the family;
The responsibility for solving the problem lies with the family;
Family members can talk freely, especially about things they do not want to comment with other people and professionals.
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

32. Family group conference ІІІ Phase: Accepting the plan
Everybody comes in when the family is ready with the plan:
The family presents the plan to the coordinator and the specialists;
The independent coordinator records it if the family was not able;
The social worker/the specialist/ looks at the plan and may ask questions about elements that are not clear but in no way affecting the decisions of the family;
The plan is accepted unconditionally unless it is dangerous to the children or contains illegal moments.
It is determined who and how he/she will observe whether the plan is being implemented successfully.
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

33. Family group conference After the conference
After a certain period of time (usually 4-6 months), contact with the family is repeated to check how the plan is implemented.
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

34. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
We know that families can make and follow their own plan
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

35. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
The model FGC is a tool for mobilizing the most sustainable possible support for a person - the family circle; The model is based on a very old, traditional and easy to understand concept - the power of the family circle; Family, godparents …
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

36. Opportunity for finding a solution in difficult situations and problems:
Attendance and behaviour in school, coping with the school subjects ...
Reintegration in the family, prevention of institutionalization, detention ...
Aggression, / Domestic / Violence ...
Divorce, poverty …

37. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
Damage, illness ...
Dependence on alcohol and drugs ...
Adoption, foster family ...
Moving ...
Social isolation ...
Restorative justice …
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

38. Applied effectively for
Prevention
Intervention
Crisis intervention
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

39. With different groups of people
Children
Youths
Adults
Elderly people
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

40. The Model – a right and opportunity
It is not a social care but a decision-making model.
A meeting where the extended family /parents, relatives and their social network/ mobilizes their own resources and makes the best plan to overcome a specific problem.
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

41. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
Participants:
Children, young people, family members
The family and its social network
Independent coordinator /prepared/
Local organization /prepared/
Referrer /a social worker, a teacher, a policeman, a doctor or another specialist acquainted with the problem, a friend…/
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

42. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
Every child has the right and need to receive support by keeping family and kinship relationships
Support and family relationships are extremely important for the development of children
The model ensures the participation of children and young people
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

43. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
It offers children a practical model for making decisions in the family
It is accessible in the community - where people live
Applicable to any problems
Encourages responsibility
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

44. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
FAMILIES
Children and families are part of a larger family system
Families have the right to be respected by the institutions and the state
The family is the context of the problem – and of the solution
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

45. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
FAMILIES
The model works with different families regardless of ethnic, religious or cultural backgrounds; educational or social status in small villages and large cities
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

46. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
FAMILIES
Practical participation of fathers (significant men in the family circle) in children's lives
Enhances family ties
Practically a democratic way of decision-making and taking responsibility
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

47. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
Great Britain Ireland Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium Sweden, Norway, Russia Slovakia, Spain Serbia, Bosnia USA, Canada New Zealand, Australia ...
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

48. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
SPECIALISTS
It allows two very different systems - institutional and family – to be connected
Helps to mobilize the necessary resources at the right time with the appropriate responsibility
Appropriate inclusion of parents, children, young people, members of the extended family, neighbours, friends, colleagues ...
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

49. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
SPECIALISTS
The family makes a plan and takes responsibility for its implementation and monitoring
The family circle contributes on average 80% of the resources needed for the plan
It can be applied in any case - prevention, intervention, crisis intervention
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

50. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
SPECIALISTS
Financially efficient model
Accessible
Universal support
"Works for Everyone!" - Tim Fisher, London Borough of Camden FGC Service Manager
It is implemented by a local organization
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

51. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
Resources in Bulgaria
Human resources
10 local NGOs
Trained independent coordinators (half of them are being active);
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

52. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
Materials: Manual for Independent Coordinators; Full set of documents, forms and evaluation forms; Brochures for families and friends, For children and teenagers; Training program for independent coordinators; Training modules for referrers - teachers, social workers and other professionals.
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

53. The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
The specialists
Social workers
Psychologists
School advisers
Headmasters, teachers
Doctors
Lawyers
Policemen and others
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

54. changes the lives of the people!
The family plans?
All plans were accepted
The plans contain on average 8 family tasks from 3 to 23 tasks
Family plans have been implemented and observed
Trust in the family
changes the lives of the people!
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )

55. Thank you for your attention!
Maria Petkova
Tulip Foundation
The project “Empowerment of Roma Women for Roma Children Education”
is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme ( )