strategy to encourage) greater use of family networks by involving the wider family in decision-making under the FFCP model. Findings showed that whilst delivery of FGCs was progressing, the rollout of FNSP funding across Wave 1 and 2 local areas was slow due to uncertainty around FNSP governance. Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) Whilst the offer of FGDM was encouraged to be made at decision points throughout the system (with the FGC model required to be offered and used at the pre-proceedings stage), local areas found FGCs helpful in the following scenarios: 1. Early Help & Prevention – Before child protection concerns escalate, when extra family support could prevent formal intervention. 2. Before Child Protection Planning – When there are concerns about significant harm, but removal could be avoided through a family-led plan. 37 3. Before a Child May Enter Care: One Wave 1 LA said that FGCs prevented a child moving into care arrangements. Staff highlighted that if offered at the time of moving to Child Protection, it could be overwhelming for the family. “What is the best point for them to make an offer of FGC because sometimes obviously the families are about to go to Child Protection because of the complex needs and difficulties within the family and then they're bombarded with all these services at the same time. It can be quite overwhelming and then that's impacting on their engagement.” Frontline worker [LA], Wave 1 (November 2024) In one LA, the FGC team held a pre-meeting prior to conducting an FGC, to give the wider family network the opportunity to resolve any outstanding issues that had caused a rift between family members. By tackling these issues first, it enabled the FGC to be more productive in designing a plan for the wider family network to support