Child Protection Conferences - What are they all about?
What is a conference?
It is a meeting held when a child or young person may have been harmed or people think they may be harmed in the future. It includes people who you and your family know like teachers, doctors, social workers and others who work with children and their families (professionals). It will also include some of your family members like your mum or dad or the adult that you live with.
What is decided there?
People at the conference may decide that you are safe and in this case nothing further happens. If they think you are not safe they may put your name on a list of children who are at risk of being harmed. That means a social worker will be coming to talk to you and listen to what you have to say on a regular basis. If they think things are very serious they may decide to go to Court and ask for an order to be made to keep you safe in the future.
Can I go?
You can decide this with your social worker. Sometimes you can go for some of the meeting or you may not want to go at all. If you decide not to go the social worker can tell the others what you would like to say to them if you were there. You could even write it down.
How will I know what has happened?
If you come to the conference the person who leads the meeting (chairperson) and your social worker will be able to meet with you and talk about what has been decided. If you do not go, the social worker will come and see you and explain what happened.
What happens next?
If your name is put on the list of children who are at risk then a plan will be made about how to help you and your family. It will usually include which social worker or other professional will be coming to see you and your family and what they will be doing to support you and your family. Meetings will take place every six months after this to make sure things are improving for you and your family and they can also decide to take your name of the list if things are better at home and you are no longer at risk.
