May 2015
Practitioner research
Background details
Name: Mary Mitchell
Organisation: University of Edinburgh
Contact details:
Mary Mitchell
ESRC PhD Student
School of Social and Political Science
University of Edinburgh
Centre for Research on Families and Relationships
22 Buccleuch Place
Edinburgh EH8 9LN
mobile: 07584 318087
Proposal
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Title of research/dissertation/paper
What contribution does Family Group Conferencing make to children and families’ longerterm outcomes?
Name of course and institution
PhD (Social Policy) University of Edinburgh
Abstract
This PhD research is a 1+3 collaborative studentship, which is funded by the Economic and
Social Research Council (ESRC) and is a partnership between CHILDREN 1 ST, the Centre
for Research on Families and Relationships and the University of Edinburgh. The project
aims to explore what associations (if any) FGC, as a child welfare decision-making forum,
has with longer-term outcomes (both expected and unexpected) for those children and
families who have been involved in the process; ‘longer-term’ means 12 months (or longer)
after a FGC meeting.
There is significant research/evidence about the impact of the process on families, its
immediate outcomes but less is known about outcomes in the longer term. A qualitative,
multiple case study approach will utilised to evidence Family Group Conferencing
contribution stories. Eleven Family Group Conferencing cases will be selected to shed light
on the mechanisms that may or may not have contributed to long-term change experienced
by children and families.
For further information please email Annette Webb – WithScotland Research Coordinator
[email protected]