Summary
1. Only people with a significant contribution to make should attend the conference. 2. Minimum quorum is Children’s Social Care, Education or Health and one other agency with direct involvement with the child. 3. All professionals who have been invited should attend the conference, or send representatives from their agencies, and provide a report. |
Those attending should only be there because they have a significant contribution to make, whether arising from their professional expertise or from their knowledge of the child or family.
As a minimum, at every conference there should be representation from Children’s Social Care and from at least two other professional groups or agencies that have had direct contact with the child. One of these should be either the Education Service or Health. However, in exceptional cases, the chair may decide to proceed where this minimum quorum is not met, and the conference record must record the reasons for this.
Those with a relevant contribution to make may include:
- The child or their representative
- Family members (including the wider family)
- Children’s Social Care staff who have been involved in the assessment of the child and family
- Foster carers/residential care workers providing direct care of the child
- Professionals who are or may become involved with the child (e.g. health visitor, midwife, school nurse, paediatrician, Education staff, Early Years staff, school staff, the GP, the Youth Justice system staff)
- Professionals who are or may become involved with the parents (e.g. Family Support Services, Adult Mental Health Services, Substance Misuse Services, Domestic Violence Services, the Probation Service, the GP)
- Those involved in enquiries (e.g. the Police and hospital doctors)
- Local authority legal services (child care) if appropriate
- Any Voluntary Organisations involved
- Expert advisers if relevant e.g. if child has disability/long term illness
- A representative of the Armed Forces in cases where there is a Service connection
All professionals who have been invited should attend the conference, or send representatives from their agencies, and provide a report.
Professionals and agencies who are invited but, in exceptional circumstances, cannot attend must submit a written report.
Others may attend and may contribute and acquire information, but will not participate in any decision-making. These will include:
- A CAFCASS Children’s Guardian
- Interpreters, advocates and supporters.
Occasionally, it may be appropriate for students on practice placement or new staff during induction, to accompany a professional colleague who is attending a child protection conference. This will be where the experience is felt to be relevant to their particular training or occupation. Prior agreement must be sought from the chairperson of the conference, who will ensure that the agreement of the parent is also obtained.
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