Family Talk
Only 5 projects in the UK were awarded funding in 2004 by the Youth Justice Board to pilot Family Group Conferencing in the youth crime prevention arena.
Family Talk, an effective model for decision-making about children and young people, was one of them.
Our meetings are convened and facilitated by the Family Talk Co-ordinator, who arranges a meeting of extended family and professionals in order to consider concerns and make plans to resolve the child's problems and meet their needs. The process is flexibly applied to each family's specific situation. Family Talk is a voluntary service within STEPP that provides an independent coordinator to families to help them plan for the future.
The service gives families the opportunity to have their opinions listened to and acted upon. They have a great deal of control over their future, as they develop the plan rather than the professionals involved, such as Social Workers, Teachers, Education Welfare Officers, Housing Officers, the Police.
Family Talk receive referrals from STEPP, but where appropriate would also consider referrals from other agencies or from families.
