The child or family member may like to have a person they feel comfortable with, accompany them to the conference as a support person. This person is usually someone from the child or family member’s immediate circle of support. For example, they could be a relative, a friend of the family, a neighbour, a youth leader, school social worker or teacher.
The facilitator will discuss the option of a support person attending the conference with each person invited to attend the conference.
The facilitator will meet with the support people before the conference to help them prepare for their role during the conference.
If you have been invited to attend a family group conference as a support person, your role will be to help the child or family member express their needs and wishes at the conference. If, during the conference, you feel that the child or family member is finding the process very difficult and not coping, you can ask the facilitator for a quick break so that you can talk privately to the person you are supporting and ask them if they need any help.
As a support person, you are not there to voice your own opinions, or to speak on behalf of the child or family member. You should remain as neutral and uninvolved as possible about the information that is being discussed.