Policy regarding Family Support Team (FST) Meetings is located in Section 4 Chapter 7 Subsection 2, and Section 4 Chapter 9 Subsection 6. Policy regarding reaching consensus for FST decisions is located Section 4 Chapter 7 Subsection 2 Sub-subsection 4. The policy guidelines in policy 4.7.2.2 must be followed before proceeding to a review of the decision as outlined in this section.

The procedure to provide oversight for decisions made by Family Support Teams is to ensure that all team members have a voice and that a consensus decision is made.

Consensus decision making is a creative and dynamic way of reaching agreement between all members of the FST for the best interest of the foster youth. Instead of simply voting for an item and having the majority of the group getting their way, a group using consensus is committed to finding solutions for the best interest of the foster youth that everyone actively supports, or can agree to. This ensures that all opinions, ideas and concerns are taken into account. Through listening closely to each other, the FST aims to come up with proposals that work for the best interest of the foster youth. Consensus is neither compromise nor unanimity – it aims to go further by weaving together everyone’s best ideas and key concerns – a process that often results in surprising and creative solutions, inspiring both the individual and the FST as a whole.