The Policy-maker`s Perspective on FGC

Dalia Lev Sade Amir Kashi
The Service for Children and Youth, Social Affairs and Social Services, Israeli Ministry of Labor

In Israel, most decisions for interventions with children at risk are made by Treatment & Planning Committees. These committees are attended by social workers and other professionals, together with the family. The regulations encourage the participation of parents and children. However, many families do not feel fully invited to participate. In minority groups, significant gaps between the welfare systems, the families and the communities hinder assessment of risk, family participation and contextually and culturally sensitive intervention.

Based on these insights, we began to examine the FGC as an alternative model. In our lecture we will discuss the dilemmas and considerations that guide the decision-making policy in the area of children at risk, the uniqueness of the FGC process and the challenges that concern us at the national policy level.