9.1 Complaints about the Functioning of Child Protection Conferences and Escalation Policy Resolution Pathways

SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER

This chapter outlines the procedure for parents / carers and children (if of sufficient age and understanding) who wish to complain about the process of a Child Protection Conferences or a Conference outcome.

Complaints about the Functioning of Child Protection Conferences

Parents, carers, children and professionals or agency members may have concerns about which they wish to make representations or complaints, in respect of one or more of the following aspects of the functioning of Child Protection Conferences:

  • The process of the Conference;
  • The outcome, in terms of the child being subject of a Child Protection Plan;
  • Or a decision that the child should not be subject of a Child Protection Plan.

Complaints about individual agencies, their performance and provision (or non-provision) of services should be responded to in accordance with the relevant agency's complaints handling process.

Complaints about aspects of the functioning of Child Protection Conferences should be addressed to the Conference Chair and the Safeguarding Quality Assurance Manager of the Safeguarding Quality Assurance Unit outside of the conference itself.

Where a complaint is not addressed to the satisfaction of the complainant, the complainant should refer to the KSCP complaints process (process to be developed).