The decision to place a child for permanency is clearly a momentous one for the child and immediate and extended family. The family group conference model, discussed here by Helen Gill, Lorna Higginson and Helen Napier, offers a way of planning and making decisions which ensures that children, along with parents and families, have their views listened to and are involved in decisions directly affecting their lives. The best interest of the child remains the focus and, where appropriate, the family may come up with possible alternatives to adoption or long-term fostering. Even when the decision is made to place the child outside the family, the family's increased involvement through a family group conference may enable them to be more accepting of the longer-term plan for the child.
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