- Home
- / Procedures
- / Child protection
- / Child protection conferences & plans
- / Chairing Conferences
Chairing Conferences
The chair of the conference is a manager within Social Care and is accountable to the Director of Children's Services. The role of the chair includes meeting the family before the conference to ensure that they understand what will happen during the conference. During the conference they must ensure that the parents and children (if present) fully understand what is being said and have an opportunity to comment on each agency's input into the conference.
Decision of the conference
In order to aid the decision making process the Chair should ensure that information is summarised so that the key issues are identified. The views of each agency present must be sought, however the decision about whether the child should be subject to a child protection plan is that of the Chair and they are not bound by the views of others.
Where the decision of the conference is that a child requires a child protection plan, the Chair must ensure that a key worker is appointed from Social Care and that a core group of professionals and the family identified with the first meeting date arranged so that it is held within 10 working days of the conference.
Outline Plan
Before the conference comes to a close, should the decision be that a child protection plan is required then the Chair is responsible for drawing up the outline plan. This will usually take its lead from the draft plan that is in the social worker's report to the conference. The Chair should ensure that the parents and children (if present) understand the outline plan.
If the decision is made not to make a child protection plan then the Chair should ensure that a child in need plan is drawn up, or that recommendations are made as to what should be in the plan.
Location of conference Chairs and their support team
The Chair for Child Protection meetings is based at Perruque House, Rue de la Perruque, Castel GY5 7NT, telephone number: 256923.
Actions
No. | Action | Person responsible | Timescale |
Prior to conference | |||
1. | Offer to meet with the child if they choose not to attend but are eligible to attend. | Chair | Prior to the day of the conference |
2. | Should there be concerns about the need to exclude a member of the family this decision should be made (seeking legal advice if necessary). | Chair | Where enough notice has been given to the Chair, this decision to be made at least 2 working days prior to the conference |
3. | Where the decision is to exclude a parent a letter is to be sent explaining the decision, informing the parent of their rights under the complaints process and how to make their views known | Chair | Where enough notice has been given, this letter to be sent at least 2 working days prior to the conference |
4. | If there is an apparent conflict of interest between children and parents, planning of conference to be looked at to ensure needs of the child remain paramount | Social worker and Chair of conference | Where enough notice has been given to the Chair, this decision to be made at least 2 working days prior to the conference |
5. | If a decision has been made previously to exclude a parent then this should be reviewed prior to all subsequent conferences for as long as the parent is excluded, with the above processes being completed if the decision is made for continued exclusion. | Social worker and Chair of conference | At least 10 working days prior to each subsequent conference |
On the day of the conference | |||
1. | Meet with parents / child before conference to ensure that they understand the process and function of a conference. | Chair | Before the conference starts |
2. | Ensure that the conference is quorate. If not a decision must be made about whether to proceed or reschedule. | Chair | At start of conference |
3. | Formalise a decision about whether a child protection plan is required and in what category of harm. | Chair | Following discussion about risks and protective factors. |
4. | If a parent has been excluded the Chair should decide whether the parent receives a copy of the record of the conference. | Chair of conference | Immediately following the conference |
If child protection plans are made or continue | |||
1. | Formulate outline plan | Chair and conference members | At end of conference |
2. | Identify a key worker within Social Care | Chair and social worker | At end of conference |
3. | Identify membership of core group | Chair and conference members | At end of conference |
4. | Ensure that date is set for first core group to meet (within ten working days of the conference) | Chair and core group members | At end of conference |
5. | Book date of next review conference (timescale dependent on where in process and whether pre-birth) | Chair | At end of conference |
6. | Copy of outline plan signed by the chair to be sent out to all who attended and were invited. To include information about decisions, recommendations, name of key worker and information about how to complain | Chair / Business support | Within 1 working day of conference |
7. | Conference report, signed by the Chair to be sent to all those who attended. | Chair / Business support | Within 15 working days of conference |
If child protection plans are not made or come to an end | |||
1. | Ensure that there is a discussion around follow-up support and that a child in need plan is formed or recommendations made as to what should be in such a plan. | Chair | At end of conference |
2. | Copy of agreed plan signed by the chair to be sent out to all who attended and were invited. To include information about decisions, recommendations, name of key worker and information about how to complain | Chair / Business support | Within 1 working day of conference |
3. | Conference report, signed by the Chair to be sent to all those who attended. | Chair / Business support | Within 15 working days of conference |