Family Group Conference Facilitator Training

What is Family Group Conferencing?

Family Group Conferencing is an independently facilitated, family led decision making process. The facilitator supports authorities and families to communicate about concerns for a child or children. The family (often including young people) then develops a plan that maintains connection to family and culture.

It recognises the importance of kinship networks, child inclusion, and community supports. Professionals contribute, but the family leads the decision making.

This training is for people who want to become recognised as a Family Group Conference Facilitator. Students come from many professional backgrounds, including:

• Child safety and child protection
• Community services and casework
• Mediators and dispute resolution practitioners
• Counsellors, psychologists, teachers and youth workers
• Indigenous support workers and family services
• Related roles working with complex families

What students have in common is a commitment to family empowerment and child focused decision making.

Pre requisites

Most participants have experience working with families in crisis or complex contexts (for example: child protection, welfare, social work, policing, psychology, mediation, or similar).

If you have no background experience working with families in crisis, please contact us before enrolling.

March workshop

• Monday 9 March — 9am to 12noon
• Monday 16 March — 9am to 12noon
• Tuesday 17 March — 9am to 1pm

June workshop

• Monday 15 June — 9am to 12noon
• Monday 22 June — 9am to 12noon
• Tuesday 23 June — 9am to 1pm

Delivery model

• Theory: self paced online learning with recorded and live webinars
• Workshop: live video meetings with simulations and role plays
• Completion: Certificate of Completion issued after participation and payment finalised

Need proof of enrolment for a tender close date? We can provide a Certificate of Commencement on request.

Prefer to read?

Family Group Conferencing is a family led planning process designed to keep children safe and support lasting change. The facilitator remains neutral, supports respectful communication, and helps participants move through clear stages.

This training is designed for practitioners already working with families, particularly in complex and child safety contexts.

Modules 1 to 5

• Module 1: History and future of Family Group Conferencing (origins in New Zealand, growth, legislation)
• Module 2: Philosophy and principles of practice (including voice of the child)
• Module 3: The model of Family Group Conferencing (role of facilitator, stages)
• Module 4: Accepting referrals (suitability, key family members, genograms, referral content)
• Module 5: Bottom lines and purpose (non negotiables, guiding questions, negotiation theory)

Modules 6 to 11

• Module 6: Preparation (DFV, confidentiality, interviews, preparing children and young people)
• Module 7: Meeting set up and confirmation (practical arrangements and venue tips)
• Module 8: Facilitating the day (stages in detail, voice, plan contact person)
• Module 9: After the conference (what happens next and review)
• Module 10: Workshop and certification (interactive sessions and role plays)
• Module 11: Documentation samples and videos (forms, resources, research, tools)

Included resources

• Comprehensive workbook (printable) for notes and future reference
• Sample documents and forms
• Discussion based learning and Q and A during workshops

FGC Facilitator Training

Online learning + online workshop

• Recognised Certificate of Completion
• Online workshop delivered over 3 half day sessions
• Mi Member discount: $1,320 (request invoice via email)

Payment plans

• Pay in full: $1,400 ($1,320 Mi Members)
• 2 instalments: 2 x $700 ($660 Mi Members)
• 3 instalments: 3 x $466.66 ($440 Mi Members)

Instalments can be set up via direct debit from credit or debit card (Visa or Mastercard). Need a different option? Contact the team.

In house training for organisations

Online learning + private workshop (price includes 10 participants; additional fee applies for more than 10).

• Recognised Certificate of Completion
• Workshop usually 2 full days (can be tailored)
• Includes travel and accommodation budget up to $2,000 (additional at cost may apply)

Eve is a qualified mediator, FDR practitioner, and experienced trainer delivering hands on coaching and activity based learning. She works across regional NSW as a consultant for Family Group Conferencing and was among the first FGC facilitators in Australia, involved in early pilot programs from 2011.

Eve has extensive experience working with Aboriginal families and children within restorative and family preservation practice, and she brings a whole family, future focused approach that keeps children’s interests at the centre of decision making.