Child Protection Conference

[Lilyt14]

Hi, can anybody explain in very simple terms what happens at a child protection initial conference. It’s due to concerns about my son’s father (emotional abuse), we are separated and have equal custody which was done through the courts. Wipe decisions be made about contact at the conference or are they unable to do that?

You will get a copy of the social worker's report before the meeting. Ideally a few days before but not always.

On the day of the meeting, you can take someone with you for support if you'd like to.

Depending on the age and needs of child the professionals will include:
School/childcare setting
School nurse
HV
Any other health professionals
Police
Anyone else involved with you/ex/child.
Maybe drug worker if relevant.

There will be a professionals discussion first to see if there is anything confidential they need to talk about.
Often the chair/IRO will come and talk to you before and explain the process.
They'll invite you in and explain the concerns and why you're there.
Sometimes the format follows signs of safety.
What are we worried about.
What is going well.
What needs to happen.
All professionals will be invited to share their reports.
You will be asked for your views.
The chair will summarize and then professionals will give a view on whether they feel the child should be placed on a CP plan and in what category. Some conferences scale their concerns.

If the child is going on a CP plan they'll decide what's going on the plan-actions etc and schedule next meetings.
If they feel the threshold isn't met, they might recommended a child in need plan.

They might make recommendations about contact. They might suggest it needs to be supervised but it's not legally binding.
They might suggest you go for a child arrangements order to set contact.

@twopoes can I ask whether a child in need meeting is much the same format with the same professionals ie police etc.

[quote JusticeSystem]@twopoes can I ask whether a child in need meeting is much the same format with the same professionals ie police etc.

[/quote]
No. CIN meetings won't involve police as standard like an initial child protection conference.
They will be involved if needed, maybe a DA worker, youth offending or probation. Basically any professional working with the family.