CHILD PROTECTION CASE CONFERENCES – A GUIDE
REASONS – PROCESS – OUTCOMES
There may be times when either children or parents or those with parental responsibility may
find themselves called to a ‘Child Protection Case Conference’ [CPCC]. The call will on most
occasions come from a social worker.
This document seeks to dispel many of the myths around the system and provide a simple
guide on the process and its outcomes:
What is a Child Protection Case Conference
The child protection conference is a key feature of the child protection process. A conference is
usually called after an agency [police, social services, NSPCC, education or health] have
concerns regarding the welfare of a child which cannot be resolved by way of a Strategy
Meeting and low level interventions.
A Case Conference could also be as a result of a Section 47 enquiry. [Section.47 of the
Children Act 1989]. This is a joint enquiry usually between police and the children’s care
services which looks at possible, alleged or confirmed criminal allegations.
The main role of the child protection conference is to assess the child’s well being, to consider
whether they are suffering or are likely to suffer significant harm, and to decide what future
action, if any, needs to be taken to support the child. A decision will also be made as to
whether or not the child or children should be put on the Child Protection Register. The
conference usually makes recommendations about whether it is necessary to take any legal
action to protect the child, and whether the police should take any action if a crime has been
committed.
Who attends a Case Conference
The case conference usually brings together a variety of professionals who have
involvement with the child concerned including its immediate carers / those with parental
responsibility, the representatives can include
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those with parental responsibility
the child being discussed
children’s services worker and manager
police officer
health services professionals
education professionals
family GP’s or other medical specialists
an independent chair person
As a parent, guardian or person with parental responsibility, you are usually invited to attend
and you are encouraged to do so. Children over 14 may also be invited to attend.
Such meetings can be extremely worrying and as a parent etc you may feel intimidated albeit
is never the intention of those present to cause this. As a parent, you could take someone
along to support you such as a relative, a friend or perhaps your solicitor.
A good chair person will take the time to speak to you before the conference and will explain
what will happen during the meeting.
If you do not want to attend yourself in the capacity of parent etc, but would like someone to
come in your place to put across your views you should discuss this in advance with the lead
child care worker in your case. Alternatively you could write down your views and send them to
the chairperson who will make sure they are raised at the meeting.
As an ABAE Club Welfare Officer you may be invited to a Case Conference. Whist this guide
will assist you, you may feel that you wish to know more about the process before attending. If
this is the case, you should contact the ABAE National Child Protection Manager who can help
or, alternatively you should contact your local Children’s Care Services Office.
The reason for a Child Protection Case Conference
The main reason for a Child Protection Case Conference to be held is in order to decide if a
child should be placed on the Child Protection Register. Decisions will if possible, be made in
consultation with the parent / guardian or person with parental responsibility whenever
appropriate.
What is the Child Protection register?
This is a list of children living within the Local Authorities Area who have suffered some form of
abuse or are felt to be at risk of significant harm. This is kept securely within the Council.
Access to the information on the register is not available to the general public.
What happens if my child is placed on the Child Protection Register
If the child is put on the register, the conference must also put together a child protection plan
that sets out how the child’s needs are to be met in the future. This plan should make it clear
what is expected of each agency involved in the child’s care and protection. The details of the
care plan are usually decided at a core group meeting held after the conference, which is
composed of those agencies who are most closely involved with supporting the child in the
future.
Once a child has been put on the Child Protection Register, an initial follow-up conference is
usually held after three months.
Every case is reviewed by a child protection review conference at least every six months. This
conference must decide whether a child's name should remain on the register or not. Parents
are usually invited to attend these conferences. When a child is placed on the child protection
register, one of the child care agencies with statutory powers, either the Child Care Services or
in some cases The NSPCC, takes responsibility for the child’s case and designates a member
of its staff as a key worker.
At the initial child protection conference, a decision may be made that the child should not be
put on the child protection register. This does not necessarily mean that the child or the family
does not require additional support or protection. If they do require further support, it is
important that a care plan is drawn up and that all professionals involved are clear about their
responsibilities in implementing the plan.
If you are a parent, guardian, person with parental responsibility, a club Welfare Officer or
other member of the ABAE who finds themselves in a position where they are to attend a Case
Conference, do not hesitate to seek guidance from the ABAE Child Protection Manager if you
feel he can help.