What is the Family Reference Group?

The INQUEST Family Reference Group is made up of people directly affected by a contentious death (i.e. in detention/custody, where a state body is involved, or where the facts are disputed). It supports and contributes to INQUEST's work from a family perspective.

The reference group brings together a range of experiences, taking into consideration race and gender perspectives, types of deaths across custody, immigration detention and mental health care.

The group has recently reformed and will play an invaluable role in influencing INQUEST’s strategic work, and wider support of bereaved families. Learn about current members here.

What does the Family Reference Group do?

The Family Reference Group meets approximately twice a year and engages regularly online. The group helps to shape the advocacy focus of INQUEST’s work.

Previous members have helped to develop the INQUEST skills toolkit, a resource aimed at building families’ understanding and involvement in the post-death investigation and inquest process.

They have also been involved in a number of listening days with criminal justice and mental health related organisations, where they have informed relevant authorities about the use of dangerous practices in custody and care.

Lastly, members have been interviewed by the media and contributed to INQUEST’s policy work.