European Network for Family Group Conferences
The network was created in Manchester in 2002 . Annual meetings since were held London (2003); Leuven (2004); Cardiff (2005); Copenhagen (2006); Berlin (2007)

Aim
To establish a European Network for promoting the development of Family Group Conferences and the exchange of information about policy, practice and research.
Four key themes are defined:
1. Learning about implementation and practice. A network could provide easy access to:
- Knowledge about best practice
- Contact names and organisations
- Ideas and exchanges of expertise
- Research evidence on practice and implementation
- New approaches or uses of Family Group Conferences
- Training Materials
- Help and advice about implementation
- Working at the political level
- Sharing resources A common research agenda

2. Working at the political level:
- Developing and influencing policy
- Generating a common European approach
- Raising profile and awareness about Family Group Conference
- Involving families as users in developing policy and practice
- Strength in unity – gaining political support Adopting a common set of values/principles about Family Group Conference
- Promoting wellbeing of children

3. Sharing Resources
- Making bids for European funding
- Each country could host a meeting of European forum
- Possibly setting up a European conference
- Sharing training materials and implementation plans
- Sharing policy, procedures, practice guidelines

4. A common research agenda
- Share information about current of existing research
- Consolidate research information that could inform new research
- Develop comparative studies
- Comparing orthodox approaches with Family Group Conference
- Sharing research information about ‘what works’ with implementation

Annual network meetings are held to take the network forward:
Invitation to 5 people representing their country to agree to:
a. Meet to progress work at a European level.
b. Act as a link to their own networks/colleagues.
c. Represent policy and practice issues relevant to their country.
d. Agree a mechanism for formalising the Network and providing an infrastructure to support its work.
e. Meet to share thinking.