Legal Briefing Juliet

In a weekly column, solicitor Phillips-James casts her expert eye over a range of legal matters and urges anyone with any questions or problems to come forward for help.

QI’ve had letters from the social worker saying I’ve got to go to an Initial Child Protection Case Conference. What is it about? What do I do? Do I have to go? What is going to happen to my children?

AChild Protection Conference is a meeting between the parents, other family members if appropriate, the social worker and other agencies that may be involved with the family such as school, probation, health professionals etc. There will also be a Chairperson.

The aim of the meeting is for everyone present to decide how best it is to protect the children’s health, safety and welfare.

There will be discussion surrounding whether or not the children have suffered or are at risk of suffering significant harm. It will be decided whether or not the children should be placed on the Child Protection Register and be made subject to a Child Protection Plan which will set out ways in which any risks to the children can be minimised and how best to safeguard the children.

The Plan will assess if the child are suffering harm, or are at risk of suffering harm and will assess ways to protect the children, along with looking at ways to reduce the likelihood of harm to the children. It will also be confirmed what will be expected of you and the professionals involved moving forward.

During the current coronavirus pandemic, it may be the case that some or all attendees will attend the meeting remotely. The social worker will be able to give you the specific details about the meeting.

You will be able to contribute and express your views at the meeting, and all attendees will also express their concerns and confirm whether they recommend the children being placed on the Child Protection Register.

Unfortunately, legal representatives are not able to attend these meetings however you will be able to make a note throughout the meeting and the minutes of the meeting should be provided to you at a later date.

The children may be removed from the Register and no longer be subject of a Plan if it’s determined that the children are no longer suffering or at risk of suffering harm.