Child Protection Conference

A Guide for Children and Young People

• What is a Child Protection Conference?
• What does it do?
• How does the Conference work?
• What will be in the Child Protection Plan?
• Can I go to the meeting?
• If I go to the meeting do I have to speak?
• What happens if I don't go to the meeting?
• How will I know what's decided?
• What happens after the meeting?
• What if I am not happy about what is happening?

What is a Child Protection Conference?

It's a special meeting that is held when something has happened to you or in your family that makes people think you might be harmed.

What does it do?

It gets together all the people who may be involved in your life like: your Parents, Doctor, Teacher, Health Visitor or School Nurse, Social Worker and someone from the Police.

When the Police come it doesn't mean somebody's in trouble. They come because it's part of their job to keep children and young people safe.

It also helps to decide whether you should have a Child Protection Plan

How does the Conference work?

The people at the meeting will work out a Plan which will involve your parents and some of the people who are at the meeting.

What will be in the Child Protection Plan?

The Plan will be different for every child and will depend on what you need. It will try to make sure that you are protected from harm in the future.

Can I go to the meeting?

Yes, you can but only if you want to. The Social Worker will talk to you and your parents about what will happen and, if they agree, then you can come to the meeting.

If you do come, the person who is in charge of the meeting (The Chairperson) will speak with you before the meeting starts to explain what is going to happen and find out what you want to happen.

If I go to the meeting do I have to speak?

No. You can use a booklet to write down what you want. You can also take an adult who you trust (like a friend or relative) to say something for you.

What happens if I don't go to the meeting?

The people at the meeting still want to know what you think - you can ask an adult to speak for you. You can also fill in a booklet (somebody you trust can help you do this) and this will help to take your views into the meeting.

How will I know what's decided?

The Social Worker will talk with your parents about who is the best person to tell you what happened.

What happens after the meeting?

If you have to have a Child Protection Plan then a date will be set to meet again in a few months to see if you still need to be kept safe.

Some of the people from the meeting will meet with your parents soon afterwards to start the Plan to keep you safe.

What if I am not happy about what is happening?