The purpose of a family care meeting is to provide an opportunity for the child's family, in conjunction with a Care and Protection Co-ordinator from the Youth Court, to make informed decisions about the care and protection of the child and to review those arrangements from time to time [ Children's Protection Act 1993 http://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Catalog/legislation/Acts/C/1993.93.un.htmss 27-36]. It reflects the Act's philosophy of involving the wider family in the decisions and arrangements for the child's care.

The conference is convened by the co-ordinator, who decides who should be invited, after consultation with the child and guardian. People who can be invited are the child, the guardians, family members, approved support persons for the guardians, a Families SA worker and anyone who has had a close association with the child (such as a teacher).

While parents are not permitted to bring a lawyer with them, the child must be provided with an advocate at the conference. This person may be a lawyer (and is likely to be so in those cases where the conference follows an investigation and assessment hearing). It may be a school counsellor, a supportive family member or a professional advocate.

The co-ordinator must gather the views of all interested parties, and convey them to everyone at the meeting and ensure enough information is given about the belief that the child is at risk. The approach is to be firm and direct, to leave the parties in no doubt as to the nature and extent of the Department's concerns. Once the information is given, the guardians and family members can privately discuss and decide their own arrangements for the child's care and protection. After an agreement has been reached, it is told to the meeting.

The final plan is only valid if the co-ordinator agrees. Review procedures must be built into any arrangements. If a final plan is not reached or the plan is not implemented or breaks down, the Minister will apply to the court for a care and protection order. At any time during a care and protection application, the court can always refer the matter back to a family care meeting [ Children's Protection Act 1993 s 49].