Child protection conference
Advice
The child protection conference is issued by a local authority when they have investigated child abuse claims and believe that as a result of their investigations that a child has been harmed or is at risk.
Possible Factors leading to this decision:
- Someone who is a known abuser may have joined your household or is a regular guest such as if the child’s mother/father has begun a relationship with a known offender;
- Concerns regarding your child’s care may not have been dealt with; or
- The court has granted an emergency protection order.
Social workers and other professionals will then prepare for the conference, 2 working days before the conference copies of such reports will be given to the parents (possibly the child depending on their age and level of understanding).
The day of the Child Protection Conference
All written reports and evidence, along with everyone’s personal views will be taken into consideration. The final decision will be whether a protection plan should be made for the child or not. The conference will be recorded via notes taken during the conference. The child’s parents will be informed of their rights to complain if they feel the way the conference procedure had been conducted was unfair. The conference will decide whether a plan for the child’s protection should be made and what action should be made for the future of the child. Information will be shared with professionals who are working to protect the child.
The conference usually takes place within 15 working days from the date when the investigation was first started or when another local authority alerts the local authority that a child under a protection plan is a new resident in the area.
Domestic violence against a child:
Child abuse involves various forms of mistreatment to any child under the age of 18 such as:
- Physical abuse;
- Neglect by Parents/ Guardians; and
- Mental abuse: this includes threatening speech.
The Children Act 1989 states that any local authority must provide accommodation for children who have no one to provide them with parental/guardian care, who are lost or abandoned or have parents and carers who are unable to look after them.
How we can help
Lestons can represent parties at the conference and put forward their argument, our staff would not have the emotional element and as such will be able to put forward a more succinct and prepared argument. If needed we can obtain specialist third-party testaments to help support our clients wishes, these will be discussed if requested.
To gain our assistance you need to open a case, this is done by taking advantage of our free consultation service, activated by the link at the top of the page, should you wish to start a case the caseworker will send you the suitable payment link.
Please note your caseworker can only give generic advice, their role is to prepare your details for handling by our legal team and to act as your point of contact, they will also issue you with your Password and PIN, these will be needed to log onto your client dashboard. From your dashboard you will be able to manage and view every aspect of your case, upload documents, images, files etc.