Cathy Ashley

Cathy is Chief Executive of Family Rights Group (www.frg.org.uk), the charity in England and Wales that advises families whose children are involved with or need children’s services because of welfare needs or concerns.

Family Rights Group runs a freephone advice line for families and promotes policies and practices, including family group conferences, that help children to be raised safely and securely within their families. She also campaigns for effective support to assist family and friends carers, including grandparents who are raising children that cannot live at home.

Cathy has edited and contributed to a number of publications including:

- Working with risky Fathers: Research findings on working with domestically abusive fathers and their involvement with children’s social care services (2011, FRG);

- Big Bruv Little Sis- Research findings on sibling carers raising their younger sisters and brothers (2011, FRG).

- Family Group Conferences - Where Next? Policies and Practices For The Future (2007, FRG);

- The family group conference toolkit – a practical guide to setting up and running an FGC service (2006, (FRG/DfES/Welsh Assembly);

In her spare time, Cathy is Chair of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (http://hmd.org.uk) and is Vice Chair of the Parent Promoters’ Foundation in Lambeth, which has set up The Elmgreen School first parent promoter comprehensive school in Britain (http://www.the-elmgreen-school.org.uk/welcome). She loves her 14 year old daughter, Cuban salsa dancing and scuba diving and sometimes tries running half marathons.