Mediation and family group conferences in adult safeguarding

Abstract

Purpose -This paper presents an overview of research and practice literature on the use of Mediation (M) and Family Group Conferences (FGC) in the context of adult safeguarding in the UK.Design/methodology/approach -This paper describes the main features of M and FGC and explores how such ''family led'' approaches to adult safeguarding fit within the wider agenda of personalisation and empowerment, including the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and its associated Code of Practice. It also considers the main implications for best practice and future research and service priorities.Findings -M and FGC in an adult context are inclusive processes that enable people to explore choices and options in a supportive environment, assuring maximum possible independence and autonomous control over basic life decisions, while still addressing the person's need for assistance. When used appropriately, both approaches can be a valuable response to safeguarding concerns, promoting choice and control at the same time as protecting people from risk of abuse and harm. However, there are few robust evaluation studies currently available and no systematic research studies were found on cost-effectiveness.Originality/value -The paper shows that there is a clear need for further pilots of M and FGC in adult safeguarding. If such research and pilot evaluations find M and/or FGC to be effective, then more consideration will need to be given as to how to integrate such approaches into mainstream social work practice. There is also currently wide variation in the training and experience of mediators and FGC co-ordinators, and further work is required to ensure that there are appropriate training and accreditation models in the UK for mediators and FGC co-ordinators working with at-risk adults.

“Why didn’t we do this before?” the development of Making Safeguarding Personal in the London borough of Sutton

“…Family mediation methods (Hobbs and Alonzi, 2013) may be more useful in these situations than safeguarding approaches and further research would be useful to test this.…”

Family Group Conferences: An Opportunity to Re-Frame Responses to the Abuse of Older People?

“…Focusing on dementia, Gorska et al (2016) concluded that, at present, the research evidence for the use of FGCs in adult care is scarce and there is a need for larger-scale evaluations to assess efficacy. Hobbs and Alonzi (2013) add that there are no studies into the cost-effectiveness of such services and a need for the establishment of more pilot projects. Fisher et al (2018), on the other hand, make the assertion that FGCs have the potential to make cost savings in adult social care.…”

“…ent present, provided their interests are represented Hobbs and Alonzi (2013). emphasise the importance of advocacy in such situations and the ability of FGC co-ordinators to recognise and understand issues of capacity and communication.Where adult FGC services have been evaluated, there is evidence that…”

Family group conferencing in dementia care: an exploration of opportunities and challenges

“…Since its first introduction in New Zealand, in the late 1980s, the FGC has been applied in children and families services and in youth care systems of various countries (Burford and Hudson, 2000). In an adult context the FGC was found to be an inclusive process that enables people to maintain maximum possible independence and autonomous control over basic life decisions, while still addressing the person's need for assistance (Hobbs and Alonzi, 2013). However, there is little systematic evidence in relation to the use or effectiveness of FGC in general (Hobbs and Alonzi, 2013;Frost et al, 2014), let alone specifically in relation to dementia care.…”

“…In an adult context the FGC was found to be an inclusive process that enables people to maintain maximum possible independence and autonomous control over basic life decisions, while still addressing the person's need for assistance (Hobbs and Alonzi, 2013). However, there is little systematic evidence in relation to the use or effectiveness of FGC in general (Hobbs and Alonzi, 2013;Frost et al, 2014), let alone specifically in relation to dementia care. Indeed, a small scale systematic search of electronic sources (CINAHL, Medline, PsychINFO and Cochrane Library) using combination of the following key terms: Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, FGC, family group decision making, yielded no results.…”