Family Group Conferencing is a family-led decision-making process used in children’s social care in the UK. Unlike traditional meetings between families and professionals when there is a safeguarding concern, Family Group Conferences are often held outside children’s services’ premises in a ‘neutral’ venue. In this article, we critique the idea that a meeting location can be neutral as spaces may be experienced differently, and hold multiple meanings, for the family, their network and professionals who take part.

In a world where political and social divisions can leave us feeling powerless, relational activism offers a hopeful alternative. It’s about making change happen through personal connections, informal relationships, and small acts of compassion.