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If parents / children choose not to attend

If parents or children do not wish to attend the conference this must be respected. However they must still be provided with full opportunities to contribute their views.

Conferences can be very emotionally demanding and difficult for family members and children to attend, especially if they do not understand what is being said and do not feel able to question or ask for clarification.

Children

Wherever possible the child should be offered a chance to meet with the Chair prior to the conference in order to have a chance to express their views directly.  If this is not possible or not wanted by the child then other methods of communicating their views (e.g. e-mails, texts, etc) are acceptable.

If a child does not attend conference, or is too young, then there is a responsibility on all those present to ensure that their views are represented, with a particular responsibility on the social worker.  Children should feel that they are involved in the whole process and that this is not merely something done to them.

Parents

If parents choose not to attend then they must be provided with every opportunity to contribute their views, either in written format, use of an advocate / supporter to attend the meeting on their behalf or agreeing that the social worker or other professional can express their views to the conference.

Actions

No.

Action

Person responsible

Timescale

If children choose not to attend

1.

If a child chooses not to attend a conference the conference chair should be notified.

Social worker

As soon as possible after being told the decision of the child.

2.

Chair to offer to meet with the child.

Chair of conference

Prior to the day of the conference.

3.

Opportunities to be offered to the child to ensure that their views are recorded and presented to the conference

Social worker

Ongoing up to day of conference

4.

Where a child chooses not to attend the conference should decide who is best placed to feed back what happened in the conference and explain the plan to the child.

Conference

Feedback should be given within a maximum of five working days but as soon as practically possible

If parents choose not to attend
1.

Opportunities to be offered to the parents to ensure that their views are recorded and presented to the conference

Social worker

Ongoing up to day of conference

2.

Where a parent chooses not to attend the conference should decide who is best placed to feed back what happened in the conference and explain the plan to the parent.

Conference

Feedback should be given within a maximum of five working days but as soon as practically possible