Family members are likely to know more about their family than any professional could possibly know and well-founded decisions about a child should draw upon this knowledge and understanding.
Family members should normally have the right to know what is being said about them, and to contribute to important decisions about their lives and those of their children. However there may be occasions when it is appropriate and necessary for professionals to meet together without parents to reflect on their own practice in a particular case to develop a multi agency action plan to deal with any difficulties, or to deal with a matter which may lead to criminal enquiries. Examples of such meetings are:
- strategy discussions/meetings;
- planning meetings where there are problems of professional engagement with the family.
Many families perceive professional involvement in their lives as painful and intrusive, particularly if they feel that their care of their children is being called into question. Professionals can make the child protection process less stressful for families by the way in which they approach working in partnership. Where intervention in family life is necessary, parents should be helped and encouraged to play as full a part as possible in decisions about their child. There should be a presumption of openness, joint decision-making and a willingness to listen to families and to capitalise on their strengths. However the professionals should never lose sight of the principle that they are acting in the best interests of the child.
The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) is a tool that can be used to enable early and effective assessment of children who need additional services or support from more than one agency. A CAF assessment can only be completed with the consent and involvement of the family and is therefore a useful holistic tool for working in partnership with families.
Family Group Conferences can be used as a decision making and planning process for the wider family group to be involved in making plans for children in the family who have been identified as being in need.
Children and families may be supported through their involvement in safeguarding processes by advice and advocacy services and they should always be informed of services that exist locally and nationally. When children are required to give evidence in criminal proceedings they should be informed of the Witness Support Service.
Children’s Social Care has a responsibility to make sure children and adults have all the information they need to help them understand safeguarding processes. Information, support and advice should be available to the family in the language of their choice.
If there are specific communication needs because of language or disability, the services of a professionally trained interpreter or a specialist worker should be used. Children, family members and friends should not be used as interpreters.
Children of sufficient age and understanding should be kept fully involved in safeguarding processes and should contribute to decisions about their future. However, children need to understand that ultimately, decisions will be taken in the light of all the available information and that, although their views will always be taken into account, this does not necessarily mean supporting their wishes for the future.
