What is a child protection conference?
Child protection conferences are meetings that bring together all the people that are working with children and their families when there are concerns about a child’s safety and well-being. It gives everyone who attends the opportunity to share relevant information and to work together, in partnership with the family, to help parents build on their strengths and protect the welfare of their child as far as possible.
Who would come to the meeting?
Everyone who is involved with the family would be invited to attend such as parents, the child (if old enough) or young person, other relatives, social workers, police, teachers, nursery workers, health visitors, doctors, housing officers and anyone else who has the child's interest at heart. Confidential notes of what is discussed at the meeting are taken and copies provided to those who are invited.
The people at the meeting may decide that a child or young person should be subject of a child protection plan, which is a written record of how the child or young person will be kept safe.
What does it mean to be subject of a child protection plan?
Any child who has a child protection plan will have their name added to a list held on computer which will be made available to professionals if they have further concerns, such as doctors in accident and emergency department at the hospital. The child's name will be removed from the list when there is no longer a need for a child protection plan.
When a child or young person's name is added to the list, staff from children and young people's services, health workers and school staff will talk to them to get their views about life at home, their health, education, hobbies, interests. This will include discussing their relationships with their parents, and brothers and sisters.
Children and young people are encouraged to contribute to meetings and conferences in person, in writing, or in a variety of other ways that the social worker will help them do.
Following the initial conference another conference will be held after three months and, if necessary at six-monthly intervals until the child's name is removed from the list as they no longer need a child protection plan.
What if I am unhappy about any child protection issues?
The conference and review unit is independent and can provide advice and support to anyone (professionals, family members and children) who has concerns about child protection or safeguarding issues. If you are unsure about where to seek advice, or have already sought advice and remain concerned please contact the unit.
If anyone involved in the child protection process is unhappy about the work of any agency, or the way they have been treated; they have the right to make a complaint through the Warrington Safeguarding Children Board complaints procedure.
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