Child Protection Conferences

A Child Protection Conference is a meeting which is called when an enquiry has shown that they are concerns about your safety or the safety of a member of your family.

If you are considered old enough and you want to be, you will be invited. You may not be able to be present for the whole meeting, but the Social Worker and/or the Chair of the meeting will explain the reasons for this. You can have an adult friend, advocate or advisor with you if you wish. The Social Worker will talk to you about this.

• Your parents/carers will be invited and they can bring a friend, or legal representative with them if they wish.

• Social Workers.

• Teacher/Nursery staff

• Health Workers such as Health Visitor, G.P, Hospital Doctor, School Nurse etc.

• Police Officer.

• Other important people in your life may be there, e.g. Youth Worker, Connexions Advisor. You – Your views about what is happening and what you would like to happen are really important. Talk to the Social Worker about ways you can make sure everyone involved knows what you want to happen

The point of the meeting is to make sure that all important matters about your safety are discussed, that everyone present has an opportunity to give their views and that careful decisions are made about how you and your family can be helped.

To ensure that everyone is treated with respect and everyone has a chance to give opinions without interruptions, a Chair Person will lead the meeting. He/she will talk to you in private before the meeting and will explain what will happen, how you will be involved and discuss any worries you may have. They will do the same with your parents/carers.

People at the meeting will have reports they have written about you and your family. You will be given parts of these reports, which relate to you. This should be in plenty of time for you to think about what they say.

The Plan will set out what is needed to ensure you are safe and properly cared for.

• It says what Social Care and all other agencies WILL do to help you and your family.

• It says what you and your family can do to improve the situation.

• The Chair will make sure everyone understands what is expected of them.

• If a Child Protection Plan is made a smaller group of people will meet regularly to make sure everyone does what they should to keep you safe. This is called a Core Group. If people feel you can be involved in this, they will talk to you and agree how you can contribute.

• If a Child in Need Plan is made there will still be regular meetings and you can be involved in these.

An enquiry into your safety maybe upsetting and stressful. To help with this, please try and keep the following in mind:

• Everyone involved will try to do their best for you and your family

• It can be helpful to talk to someone you trust who you know is sensible and will not talk to others about your business.

• If you have a complaint about your social worker or chair of the conference you can contact:  
  
  Brighton and Hove City Council
  Standards and Complaints
  Telephone number 0500 291 229  
  Email Complaints@brighton-hove.gov.uk