Being involved with Local Authority Children’s Services can be a highly stressful experience for any parent or carer. When questions are raised about a child’s welfare, the legal and procedural processes can feel overwhelming. It is important to understand your rights and the procedures involved. This knowledge helps your family get the right support and fair treatment throughout the assessment period.
This guide explains the initial child protection conference process, detailing what to expect before, during, and after the meeting. By understanding these steps, you can approach the situation with more confidence and clarity.
Supporting you to understand the child protection process
Know what to expect from the meeting and who will be present at each step’. Prepare questions in advance and write down any concerns so you can address them in meetings.
What is a child protection conference?
A child protection conference may take place following the Local Authority completing a Section 47 assessment, should a child’s social worker be concerned that the child is at risk of harm. You may be invited to an initial child protection conference alongside professionals who are also involved with the child and your family. This professional group may include a representative from the child’s school, a school nurse or health visiting service, the police, or a probation service representative.
An initial child protection conference can also concern an unborn child. In these cases, your midwife should attend to provide health and welfare updates.
How professionals make decisions at the conference
Professionals are invited to attend the conference to make decisions about their child’s safety and well-being. These professionals will make decisions based on information obtained as part of the Section 47 assessment process, family history, and previous involvement with services.
The attending professionals must consider the evidence presented to the conference and make judgments about the likelihood of your child suffering abuse or harm in the future. They will decide whether the child is at continuing risk of significant harm. During the meeting, the professionals will discuss the actions needed to promote and protect your child’s well-being. If you have a support worker, you may ask the social worker whether your support worker can attend the conference with you to provide emotional and practical support.
The role of the Independent Reviewing Officer
The conference will be chaired by an Independent Reviewing Officer. This professional must contact you before the conference to introduce themselves. Your child’s social worker should also ensure that you understand the child protection process, explain the purpose of the conference, explain how the conference will operate, confirm what professionals will be present, and explain the possible outcomes of the conference.
Before attending the conference, the social worker should share a conference report with you in advance. Providing this documentation early gives you sufficient time to read the report and ask any questions you may have about its contents.
What happens after the conference?
Within 5 working days after the conference, you should be provided with the conference decision and an outline of the care and support plan in writing. The social worker should discuss the recommendations with you to ensure you understand the reasons and the implications of the decision.
Within 3 months, a first child protection review conference must be arranged. By the time of the first review conference, the aim should be that positive progress has been made since the initial conference. The progress of the care and support plan will be reviewed, and you will be asked to participate in these ongoing review meetings.
One of our Child Care Solicitors may be able to offer you assistance throughout the child protection process, ensuring your voice is heard and your rights are protected at every stage.
Frequently asked questions
How long is an initial child protection conference?
These meetings typically last between 1.5 and 2 hours. The exact duration depends heavily on the complexity of the case, the number of professionals providing information, and the level of discussion required to reach a decision.
Who attends a child protection case conference?
The meeting includes parents or carers, the Independent Reviewing Officer, the social worker, and professionals involved with the family. Professionals can be teachers, health visitors, police officers, or probation officers.
What happens immediately after a child protection conference concludes?
The chairperson will summarise the decisions made, including whether your child will have a protection plan. You will receive a written summary of decisions and the care plan within 5 working days.
Parents and those with parental responsibility often qualify for legal aid in child protection matters once a Local Authority has issued Court proceedings or entered the Public Law Outline (PLO) process. Contact our legal team to discuss your finances and eligibility. We offer expert representation for your family.
Having the right legal advice and support from the very beginning can have a significant impact. At CJCH Solicitors, our experienced Child Care team helps across our offices in Cardiff, Barry, Bridgend, Blackwood, Caerphilly and now Swansea.
With our 4.9-star Trustpilot rating and decades of experience, we combine technical legal excellence with compassionate client care.
Contact our Child Law team today on 0333 231 6405 to schedule your consultation.
