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?
Author
Alison Davis: 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.
