Ngobese, Mthokozisi Rejoice (2025) Family Group Conferencing as culturally competent practice: Exploring the value of practicing Ubuntu when collaborating with children and families to keep children safe. Doctoral thesis, University of West London.

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Abstract

The Family Group Conferencing model (FGC) is a child and family focused model that seeks to ensure the full engagement of children and families in decision making. This research explored FGC as culturally competent model of practice and through analysis of findings highlighted the merits of practicing Ubuntu when working together with families to safeguard children. Data was gathered from social workers, FGC coordinators and FGC children’s
advocates using qualitative data gathering methods of interviews and focus groups. The epistemological position taken was interpretivism. This thesis acknowledges inherent power differentials for children and families involved in social services. At the core of the thesis is the
need to embody social work values and demonstrate ‘Ubuntu’ in working with children and families using culturally appropriate model like FGC. This thesis recognise that current approaches used by social workers are Eurocentric and Westernised and therefore potentially oppressive to children and families from minoritised ethnic groups, therefore a need for decolonising approaches used. It asserts that the best place for a child is with their family.
Should reasons exist for that child to not be able to remain in the family, convening a FGC could help explore other options within the kinship network to both safeguard the child and keep them within the family. This thesis further explores how this is done, taking into consideration partnership working, the centrality of the voice of a child and power dynamics that exists between the child and family and family and authorities represented by social services. Using Bourdieu’s theory of practice, the thesis argues for the importance of understanding the dichotomies that exist in the child and family’s life and through their participation in the FGC process, the child is afforded a voice either directly or through using an independent advocate. The thesis deconstructs the care and control mandate and argues that through using the FGC model the need for control is reduced as families are at the centre of decision making about issues that affect their children. Key themes from findings indicate that FGCs embody Ubuntu and core social work values

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Identifier:	10.36828/thesis/13688
Subjects:	Social sciences > Social work
Depositing User:	Marc Forster
Date Deposited:	23 May 2025 07:32
Last Modified:	23 May 2025 08:30
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/13688

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