Family network meetings in adoption

Family network meetings are an innovative area of adoption practice that can bring many benefits for agencies, children and families. Although family support is used extensively in child in need cases and safeguarding, it has been less recognised in adoption until recently. What are the benefits and challenges of these meetings, for agencies, children and families? For agencies now using them, what have their experiences been? And what do social workers need to know to set up and run these meetings effectively?

Who is this book for?

This guide will be invaluable for all social workers and social work managers wishing to explore the benefits of family network meetings and update their practice.

What you will find in this book

This practical guide provides all the information needed to explore, evaluate and start holding family network meetings. It outlines the benefits that can help ensure successful, happy and well supported adoptions, including extra insight for social worker assessment and analysis, increased confidence in matching, and a more committed, well informed family approach to safeguarding and therapeutic parenting. Sharing best practice from a range of innovative agencies, it explores the varied ways in which the meetings can be used and tailored, and how agencies have overcome any challenges. In a highly practical approach, the guide also provides comprehensive advice on how to organise and run all aspects of family network meetings.  

The guide explores: 

• relevant legislation, policy and practice guidance 
• how and when the meetings can be used, including during assessment, once a child is identified, and post-placement 
• the benefits and challenges of this approach, for agencies, children and families 
• how best to prepare for family network meetings 
• what can usefully be covered during the meetings themselves 
• how to get the most out of family network meetings – before, during and after the event 

A range of case studies provide insights into agency experiences in this area. Sample resources are also included, ready for use by agencies.  

Authors

Alison Davis has been a social worker for over 37 years, with extensive experience in adoption, fostering, children with disabilities and safeguarding. She currently chairs a fostering panel, works for a regional adoption agency, is an associate trainer and author for CoramBAAF, undertakes independent social work, and is a strategic adviser for the NHS.

Sue Westwood MBE has over 40 years of social work experience across all fields of child care, including adoption and fostering. She has been head of service for a regional adoption agency, managing adoption provision across five north-west England authorities. She now works as an independent consultant and adoption and fostering panel chair.  

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