What is a Child Protection Conference?

A child protection conference is a meeting arranged by social services when they are worried about a child’s safety and wellbeing. This is a multi-agency meeting and all professionals involved with the child may be invited to provide their views including the social worker, school, health visitor and the police.

The meeting will be arranged by an independent reviewing officer who is somebody independent from the local authority. Their role is to ensure that everybody’s views are heard and answer questions that you may have about the process. They will send you a letter inviting you to the meeting also ensure that you are sent the minutes of the conference.

Do I have to Attend the Child Protection Conference?

YES. It is extremely important that you attend the meeting to show that you are willing to engage with professionals and address the concerns otherwise the social worker may decide to escalate by issuing court proceedings which in serious cases could include your child being removed from your care.

This is also your opportunity to share your side of the story and update the professionals as to your child’s current situation. You can take somebody with you for support however solicitors do not usually attend these meetings. If more serious steps are taken such as a PLO meeting (see blog- What is a PLO Meeting?) then you should get a solicitor at this stage. If the conference raises complex legal issues such as disputed medical evidence or if there are ongoing criminal issues, then it is still a good idea to speak to a solicitor.

If you are concerned about another person attending the meeting due to issues around confidentiality, domestic abuse or bail conditions, then you can ask the independent reviewing officer to hold separate meetings.

What is a Child Protection Plan?

During the conference, professionals will share information about the child and then a decision will be made about whether the child is suffering or is at risk of suffering harm. If professionals decide that the child is at risk of harm then they will be made subject to a child protection plan. There are different categories of harm which include:

a. Neglect
b. Emotional harm
c. Physical abuse
d. Sexual abuse

Professionals will also consider what support can be provided to a family to address the worries such as referrals to drug and alcohol services, support from a family support worker to help tidy the home or healthy relationship work. It is the social worker’s role to ensure that the right support is put in place. The plan should also address what parents need to do to ensure that the child’s situation improves and provide a timeframe for the actions to be undertaken. The social worker may make announced and unannounced visits to your home to check that your child is safe.

There will be review meetings after 3 months and 6 months to consider whether your child should remain on the child protection plan or whether the concerns have reduced then the local authority may decide it is no longer necessary.

How Can Timms Help?

If you have been invited to a PLO meeting or the Local Authority have decided to issue public law proceedings following a child protection meeting, then we may be able to help you. Please contact our Family Law team on 01332 364436 if you require any further information.