This chapter recognises that participation (whole or part) of a child subject to a child protection conference should be actively considered, but following a considered assessment of this. A framework for this assessment is offered together with consideration of an independent advocate.
It will always be important for the conference to have an understanding of the child’s wishes, wants and views and there are ways that this should be provided. The chair of the conference should always be advised in advance, so that the management of the conference can be given due consideration.
This chapter was updated in July 2017 to identify that Quality Assurance generate a referral for NYAS for any child over 11 yrs subject to a Conference which the social worker is required to complete, (see The Child’s Independent Advocate).
Working Together to Safeguard Children – a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children states that we need to develop a child – centred approach to safeguarding children. Children should therefore be informed and engaged in the child protection process.
There is an expectation therefore that children should participate in the conference process and that their views, wishes and feelings should be known and shared at the conference. This should support better outcomes for children in terms of them staying safe and making a positive contribution.
Participation is a process not an event; it can be achieved by a variety of ways and does not necessarily mean attendance at the actual conference. A child focused approach means that imagination and discussion is needed to determine how best a child or young person can actively participate in the conference process. It will involve seeing the child/young person prior to every conference to ascertain how best their views can be conveyed.
The following guidance has been produced to aid in planning and achieving children’s participation in the child protection conference process.
Has the child expressed a wish to attend and participate this way?
Is inclusion in the conference assessed to be of benefit to the child?
Whether the child’s attendance at the conference will cause him or her harm.
Consideration should be given to the views of and impact on the parent /carer of the child’s proposed attendance; however, where there is a conflict between the wishes of the child and the views of the parents/carers, the child’s interests should take priority. Discussion should take place with the conference chair with regard to how this can be managed. When necessary, separate attendance should be facilitated.
In order to establish their wishes and suitability to attend the conference, the child must first be provided with a full and clear explanation of the purpose, conduct and membership of the conference by the social worker. The potential provision of an independent Advocate should also be explored and discussed with the child. If an Advocate is required, this needs to be indicated on the list of invitations to be sent provided by the social worker.
Identify and agree a supporter or independent Advocate with the child if required; (see The child’s independent advocate).
Inform the chair who the Advocate for the child is before the conference, (where relevant).
Ensure that the conference record adequately reflects the child’s contribution to include a separate paragraph outlining the child’s wishes and views.
A referral to NYAS is automatically generated from the Quality Assurance Unit for any child over 11 years old. The social worker is then required to complete the on-line referral form to enable an Advocate to contact the family.
Where an Advocate is to attend a conference the social worker must inform the child protection chair before the conference.
The social worker should meet with the child as soon as possible after the conference to feedback and discuss the outcomes of the conference and to allow the child to ask any questions about the decisions made.
The child meeting the child protection chair before the conference to share his or her views.
Child does not want to attend.
The decision not to include a child of the relevant age should be recorded, with the reasons why in the child protection conference minutes and on the child’s file.
This decision must be explained to the child by his or her social worker.
The above principles should also be used to consider how children and young people can participate in Core Group meetings. The social worker is responsible for explaining the purpose of these meetings and discussing how the child/young person can participate. When a decision has been made that the child /young person will attend the meeting, the need for an Advocate will be discussed. The child /young person must have a child friendly copy of the Child Protection Plan before they attend the meeting.
If the child /young person does not attend the Core Group, the Core Group meeting members need to agree who is best placed to ascertain the child’s wishes and feelings about whether they feel safer as a result of the actions being taken.