Family Group Decision Making
FGDM is a formal meeting where a child’s wider family and network come together to plan future arrangements, ensuring the child is safe and their wellbeing promoted.
- Families are empowered to contribute their knowledge, skills, and resources.
- Plans are developed collaboratively, guided by a Family Group Decision Making Worker.
- Referring professionals provide initial information and then step back to allow the family to create the plan.
Timescale: An FGDM plan is usually completed within six weeks.
Family Network Meetings vs FGDM Meetings
- Family Network Meetings: Less formal, early-stage meetings to identify support from the child’s network.
- FGDM Meetings: More formal, may require a referral if further planning or impartial facilitation is needed.
Referrals
A referral for an FGDM Worker can be made when:
- A child in Lincolnshire is at risk of becoming a Child in Care
- Kinship care arrangements or pre-proceedings require planning
- A Child in Care needs support to return to family/friends
- Initial Family Network Meetings have not resolved concerns
To support SGO carers with family time and meeting the needs of the children they care for.
Note: Referrals are only accepted from Lincolnshire Children’s Services.
Life Links
Life Links supports children in care and care leavers, helping them build lifelong supportive networks.
- For children in care aged 15.9 years and above, and care leavers up to 25
- A dedicated worker helps the young person develop and maintain a supportive network
- Focus on safety, wellbeing, and transition to adulthood
Foster Carer and Kinship Carer Training
Training covers:
- Family Time – understanding and managing family time arrangements
- FGDM – using FGDM processes to support placements and care arrangements
Special Guardianship Orders (SGO)
FGDM can support SGO carers in planning family time as children grow and needs change.
- Requests are made through the Family Help Front Door or through the adoption support helpline
- Guidance will be provided on responsibilities and decision-making
Family Help Support Services
Family Help Front Door: 01522 782 111
Adoption support Helpline
adoptionsupporthelpline@lincolnshire.gov.uk or call 01522 554056.