‘This Is the Child's Meeting!’ Family Group Conference: A Qualitative Study of Norwegian Coordinators' Experiences

ABSTRACT The use of family group conferences (FGCs) in the Norwegian child welfare service (CWS) is introduced as a promising approach, inspired by Māori people's traditions. However, how the FGCs work is experienced by one of its main contributors, the Family Group Conference Coordinators (FGCC), has undergone limited exploration. The present study examines FGCCs' experiences. Data include a representative group of practising, experienced FGCCs from the entire region of Northern Norway in the CWS ( N = 12). Based on semi‐structured interviews through three focus groups, they were asked about their subjective experiences of doing FGCC work. Data were qualitatively analysed according to systematic text condensation. Primarily, the FGCCs advanced FGCs as process facilitators. This entailed concrete initiatives to optimise processes among those involved. First, initiate a fast beginning, encourage participation and successive rather than single meetings. Second, place the child in the centre position, making FGC ‘the child's meeting’, ensuring the child's understanding and participation. Third, apply a neutral, humane stance by asking open questions and inviting curiosity towards differences among those involved. Fourth, advance an early introduction of the FGC approach, follow‐ups and FGCCs as initiators of follow‐ups to augment FGCs' potential. All reported high job satisfaction and sense of mastery by contributing towards turning children's and family networks' attention away from personal deficits and conflicts into shared responsibility for challenges and contribution towards the child. To optimise job satisfaction and sensitivity, they advocated frequent practice. Based on Māori inspiration, practising Norwegian FGCCs experience being process facilitators as the main ingredient of their FGCC work. To build favourable processes, they cultivate detailed initiatives, while placing the child in the centre. Their experience‐based practice as process facilitators sends suggestions to the general family therapy field and CWS about concrete initiatives to facilitate processes among children and family network at conflicts. Further research on family inclusion and participants' experiences is needed.