Working Together 2026 defines family group decision-making as an umbrella term for voluntary, family-led forums in which the child's family network has the preparation, information and safe setting it needs to make a plan in response to concerns, working alongside professionals (Appendix A). A family group conference is one model. The DfE doesn't prescribe a model, but says local partnerships should consider the strong evidence for family group conferences, which have been shown to help divert children from care.
The guidance expects family group decision-making to be used throughout the system: in Family Help (paragraphs 136 and 149), during child protection planning, and at the pre-proceedings stage, where the local authority should offer it and consider an independent coordinator and "private family time" (Appendix A and section 4).
A typical conference has three parts: professionals share information, the family meets privately to make a plan, then the plan is agreed with the professionals.
For schools, a DSL or class teacher may be asked to share information at the start, explaining what the school sees and what support it can offer. The family's plan may include school-based actions, such as who collects the child or who is told about absence. Local practice varies, so check how your area runs them.