When the Local Authority have concerns regarding the welfare of a child, they may decide to place the children on a Child Protection Plan and hold Child Protection Conferences.
A Child Protection Conference is a meeting between parents, guardians or carers, Social Services and other agencies.
A Child Protection Conference is arranged as a result of a Section 47 enquiry, which is initiated if there is a reasonable suspicion that a child is at risk or is likely to be at risk from sexual, emotional or physical abuse, or is being neglected.
The aim of the meeting is to discuss the issues and enable information from child care professionals such as teachers and doctors to be shared. This assists Social Services to reach a decision about what is in the best interests of a child, and whether a child is at risk and needs to be removed from the care of the parents/ guardian and taken into foster care.
It is important to note that because a Child Protection Conference has been scheduled, this does not automatically mean that a child will definitely be taken into care. Any measures to protect a child which Social Services decide are necessary will be set out in a Child Protection Plan and this will be reviewed after three months.
If a child is old enough to understand what is happening, they will also be able to attend the Child Protection Conference. Parents will receive in advance copies of the reports to be presented at the conference by Social Services.
The initial meeting with Social Services can be extremely daunting for parents, but the aim of the meeting is to discuss the issues and enable information to be shared so that Social Services can make a decision about what is in the child’s best interests.
The role of the solicitor at the conference is as an advisor and to offer support to the parent. However, in some exceptional circumstances, where the parent does not feel able, the solicitor may speak on their behalf.
At the conclusion of the Child Protection Meeting:
It is crucial that parents, guardians or carers with Parental Responsibility seek legal advice from a specialist child care solicitor with expertise in child protection matters. They can advise on the specifics of the case and help parents and children understand reports prepared by Social Services in advance of the conference so that they are properly prepared. They can also provide advice in relation to possible outcomes following the meeting-taking place.
Duncan Lewis is recommended by The Legal 500 legal directory for its specialism in all aspects of family and children law nationwide and cross-border. The Legal 500 applauds our family and child care solicitors to be a team of lawyers that are ‘friendly professionals who take their time to understand your case’. Duncan Lewis team includes Advanced Members of the Law Society’s Family Panel, and members of the Law Society Children.
Duncan Lewis Solicitors are able to provide legal aid depending on the type of application that has made. Our children Law team are able to discuss funding options with you and can assess you for legal aid. A fixed fee or hourly rate fee of a legal representative may also be available for this matter. Funding will be confirmed with you in advance of any work being carried out. If the Local Authority decide to initiate Care Proceedings, parents in proceedings will be automatically eligible for Legal Aid.
For expert legal advice on all family and childcare matters, contact Duncan Lewis Solicitors on 033 3772 0409.