This evidence and practice briefing aims to support FDAC practitioners and local authority colleagues in decision-making about which families are deemed eligible for and referred to FDAC. To support in achieving consistency across FDAC services and to ensure that referral decisions are evidence-based, this briefing aims to: clarify the FDAC eligibility criteria by summarising the evidence base to date; provide practical guidance for eligibility decisions; provide clinical guidance and support to ensure consistency across FDAC services; and explore how key factors – such as trauma, implicit biases and structural inequalities – may affect referral, initial assessments and practice decisions.

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Who we work with

Although some FDAC’s may have specific referral criteria for their area, the FDAC model is able to work families whatever their makeup, whatever the age of the children. The model is also able to work whether the children are placed within the family, or within foster care.

FDAC’s work to engage with mother and father, stepparents and wider family where possible. It is recognised that many families accessing FDAC have had difficulties being engaged with community support or health care services, have had previous children removed or themselves have experienced the care system. FDAC teams continue to be committed to developing their practice to meet the support needs of the families and bridge any gaps in service provision.

Many parents present with learning support needs and the FDAC model is highlighted as a more supportive, and effective alternative to standard care proceedings for parent addressing these complex needs. Read more on the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory’s research on the experiences of parents with learning disabilities or difficulties here.