printable brochure 

It is a meeting with parents, children, relatives, friends and the CAS who will together make a plan to help keep a child and his/her family safe.  

The family is made up of relatives, friends and anyone who feels like family. 

CAS believes that family groups will make good plans to keep children safe.

When the plan is made by the larger family circle they bring wisdom, knowledge and support.

FGC helps the family group look at what help there is available in the group or in the community.

The family group will hear what the professionals have to say as well as what other family members have to say.

The family group will make the plan by themselves, considering the worries or safety concerns of everyone.

Now in Ontario, FGC can be used as an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). When this happens, everyone agrees to put court action on hold until the family circle has the chance to come together to develop a plan for the child(ren).

How is the family meeting arranged? 

After the parent/caregiver agrees, the worker will make a referral to the coordinator who will then gather some information about what has been happening and what CAS is worried about for the child or children.

The coordinator will then meet with everyone and explain what FGC is about; ask who is in the family; what other people should be invited; and, how to contact them.

The coordinator will approach family members, prepare them for, and invite them to the meeting.

The coordinator will also ask who else (e.g., counsellors) should be invited to the meeting.

The coordinator will arrange for child care, refreshments, a good meal and travel arrangements, as needed. 

How long does it take to arrange a meeting?

It takes 4-6 weeks to prepare and set up the family meeting.

The meeting goes until the family group has written a good, safe plan for the children, so set aside a whole day and be patient.