Family group meetings

A family group meeting is where important people in your life meet to decide how to keep you happy and safe.

Decisions made will be included in your case plan.

Who will be at the meeting?

People attending family group meetings may include:

• you, as it’s important to let people know your thoughts and feelings
• your parents
• other family members or friends close to you
• your Child Safety Officer (CSO)
• other people who are important to you (such as your carer, guidance officer or health worker)
• a person (called a convenor) from the government department, who will organise and run the meeting
• someone from a recognised entity or a member of your local community (if you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person)
• people from other services providing support for you.

How do I find out about the meeting?

The convenor or your CSO will contact you to talk about:

• why the meeting is being held
• what will be discussed
• where and when the meeting will be held.

What if I don’t go to the meeting?

If you can’t or don't want to go to the meeting, you can:

• write down what you want to say and someone can then read it out for you at the meeting.
• share your thoughts and feelings with someone attending the meeting and they can then share your views at the meeting.

After the meeting

Your CSO will give you and anyone else involved who attended the meeting a copy of your case plan. Your CSO will then talk about it with you.

Your case plan will be reviewed within 6 months.

Case plans

Read information about what a case plan is and how it affects you.

More information

For more information on family group meetings, you can:

• talk to your CSO
• phone Child Safety Services on 1800 811 810 or (07) 3224 8045
• contact or visit your nearest Child Safety Service Centre.