Our
Projects
At Relative Strength we are passionate about the Family Group Conference model, and the outcomes it achieves for children and their families.
However, on the most part the model is utilised within children's services department. At Relative Strength we feel the model can be applied to many other sectors to great effect, and our aim is to broaden the use of the Family Group Conference across the UK.
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Here are some of the areas we are exploring setting up project in.
Network Redirect
Network Redirect aims to work with young offenders prior to their release from custodial sentences. The aim is to explore their relational network, and bring the young person and their network together via a Family Group Conference, to produce a support plan for their release. This will ensure they are supported and diverted away from criminality and reoffending. Mediation and advocacy will also be a factor within this project. The project will run alongside statutory youth offending services, and will complement the support they provide.
Before I'm Born
This project aims to work with agencies who carry out pre-birth assessments, to work with new expectant parents, and parents who have previously had children removed, to identify their relational network, and bring them together via the Family Group Conference model to develop a support plan for when baby arrives. For parents who have had previous children removed, theraputic support will also be provided to look at areas for concern, and support growth and learning to enable parents to keep baby in their care when born, with the support of their network.
Mediation will also be available to heal broken bonds to ensure as much support as possible for parents.
Care for Me
Care for Me is a new initiative to utilise the Family Group Conference model with prospective foster carers and people preparing to adopt. This will bring together their relational network via Family Group Conferencing. This will identify support available from the relational network, to help maintain placements, and provide a more holistic whole family approach to fostering and adoption. This will also be available to family members who are looking to become connected carers, and are undergoing viability assessments.
