title: Family group conferencing in youth care: characteristics of the decision making model, implementation and effectiveness of the Family Group (FG) plans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The model of Family group-conferencing (FG-c) for decision making in child welfare has rapidly spread over the world during the past decades. Its popularity is likely to be caused by its philosophy, emphasizing participation and autonomy of families, rather than based on positive research outcomes. Conclusive evidence regarding the (cost) effectiveness of FG-c is not yet available. The aim of this protocol is to describe the design of a study to evaluate the (cost) effectiveness of FG-c as compared to Treatment as Usual.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effectiveness of FG-c will be examined by means of a Randomized Controlled Trial. A multi-informant approach will be used to assess child safety as the primary outcome, and commitment of the social network, perceived control/ empowerment; family functioning and use of professional care as secondary outcomes. Implementation of FG-c, characteristics of family manager and family will be examined as moderators of effectiveness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Studying the effectiveness of Fg-c is crucial now the method is being implemented all over the world as a decision making model in child and youth care. Policy makers should be informed whether the ideals of participation in society and the right for self-determination indeed result in more effective care plans, and the money spent on FG-c is warranted.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Dutch Trial Register number NTR4320. The design of this study is approved by the independent Ethical Committee of the Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences of The University of Amsterdam (approval number: 2013-POWL-3308). This study is financially supported by a grant from ZonMw, The Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development, grant number: 70-72900-98-13158.
authors: Forensic Child and Youth Care Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Prinsengracht 130, 1018 VZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. J.J.Asscher@UvA.nl.
authors: Jessica J
authors: JJ
authors: Asscher
authors: Sharon
authors: S
authors: Dijkstra
authors: Geert Jan J M
authors: GJ
authors: Stams
authors: Maja
authors: M
authors: Deković
authors: Hanneke E
authors: HE
authors: Creemers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D009426:Netherlands; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design