4.10 Involving the Child and Family Members |
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
This chapter outlines the process for involving the child or young person and relevant family members in the Child Protection Conference.
Contents
1. Responsibilities of the social worker
Following the decision to convene an Initial Child Protection Conference, the social worker should:
- inform the parents of the arrangements for the Conference
- invite them to attend
- inform them that they may bring an advocate, friend or supporter to the Conference
- inform them of the purpose, process and decision making powers of the Conference
- provide the family with leaflets produced by Knowsley Safeguarding Children Board explaining the process of Child Protection Conferences
The social worker should prepare the Child Protection Conference Report and provide a copy of the report to the family at least one working day prior to the Conference. The social worker should meet with family members to give them an opportunity to discuss the report and prepare themselves for the Conference.
The social worker should provide a copy of the Child Protection Conference Report to the Conference Chair 48 hours before conference.
In cases where there is a high level of conflict between parents it may not be possible for both parents to attend the Child Protection Conference together. Such considerations, which relate to the management of the Conference, should be discussed with the Chair in advance of the Conference, and the Chair will facilitate the separate attendance of both parents where appropriate.
2. Exclusions of Parents/Carers
In exceptional cases it may be necessary to exclude a parent from part or all of the Child Protection Conference if:
- the parents/carers are charged with or likely to be charged with an offence relevant to the Conference
- the parents are in dispute with each other and attendance would engender conflict and be disruptive
- the parents/carers have a known history of violence to professionals and those present at the Conference may be at personal risk
- professionals hold relevant confidential information on one parent/carer which the other parent/carer might not be aware of (and that information is essential to the conference and could not be disclosed in the presence of both parties)
The decision to exclude a parent or carer rests with the Child Protection Conference Chair and the reasons for excluding parents should always be stated and recorded at the Conference. The starting point must be a commitment to participation of parents in all Child Protection Conferences, with exclusion the exception.
When parents are not able to attend, due to exclusion or any other reason, or choose not to attend, the social worker should ensure that his or her views are communicated to the Child Protection Conference.
3. Involving the Child
The social worker should inform any child of sufficient age and understanding of the arrangements for and the purpose of the Child Protection Conference. Subject to consideration of age and understanding, the child should be invited to attend if he or she wishes and to bring an advocate, friend or supporter.
Where a child of sufficient age and understanding wishes to attend the Child Protection Conference they should be prepared for the experience. A professional skilled in the area of working with children in participation and knowledgeable in the process of Child Protection Conferences should be involved in this work.
Where the child does not wish to attend, or it is inappropriate for her/him to attend, the reasons for the child's non-attendance should always be stated. However, the child's voice should still be heard at the conference. This could be by the social worker ensuring that the wishes and views of the child are communicated to the Child Protection Conference by the social worker or another appropriate professional, or by alternative means such as the use of a written statement, voice on a tape or a video recording, or by the child being represented by an advocate.
Whichever method is used the social worker, and where appropriate other people at the conference, should be able to explain:
- what the child says happened
- what the child wants to happen now
- the child's experience of living in the family
It is the responsibility of the Conference Chair to show that the child's voice was heard in the conference and that the child was able to influence decision making. If it was not, the chair should ensure that it will be included in any work that happens after the conference.
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