Hassan’s story

Social workers were worried that seven-year-old Hassan was in danger because of his parents’ volatile relationship. They also had concerns over his parents’ drinking and mental health issues.

Children’s services asked Welcare to arrange a Family Group Meeting. These are run independently from social services and on the parents’ own terms.

Hassan’s grandparents, cousins and a family friend all attended the meeting.

The family came up with a written plan which involved Hassan’s grandmother visiting 2-3 times a week and the mother’s cousin passing on her way to school to check that Hassan was OK.

‘The family group meeting really galvanised the family to come together,’ says Jo Foster, principal social worker in Wandsworth. ‘They came together to keep Hassan safe with his mother. It was a turning point for the whole family.’