The following information define the expected standards for Child Protection conferences. A pdf version may be downloaded here. (65kB)

1. Child and family attendance at child protection conferences
2. Preparing children and families for conferences
3. Attendance and reports for conferences
4. Deciding whether a child should be Subject to a Child Protection Plan
5. Core groups and planning
6. Deciding whether a child should no longer be Subject to a Child Protection Plan
7. Administrative arrangements and record keeping of conferences
8. Accountability

Standard 1: Child and family attendance at child protection conferences

Parents, carers and children should be invited to attend the conference and facilitated to fully participate

• Parents, carers and children should be provided appropriate information explaining the purpose and process of the conference
• Significant family members (including fathers) should be facilitated to attend the conference
• Children (subject to age and understanding) are given the opportunity to attend
• Parents should be informed of their rights to have a supporter present at the conference
• Exclusions from conferences should be an exception and only occur where the presence of a family member would significantly impact on the conference process or where there is concern for the wellbeing of conference participants

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Standard 2: Preparing children and families for conferences

Parental and child involvement in the child protection conference should be facilitated to ensure their contribution is maximised

• Children and parents are provided with a copy of the social work report at least one working day in advance of the conference
• The social workers report should be explained and discussed in advance of the conference
• Persons contributing to the conference should provide a written report in advance to the parents
• The child and family participants should be invited to meet the chairperson prior to the conference

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Standard 3: Attendance and reports for conferences

The conference should have sufficient expertise available through personal representation or reports to enable informed decisions to be made about what action is needed to safeguard the child and promote his or her welfare. Those attending conferences should have a significant contribution to make, arising from their professional expertise, knowledge of the child or family.

• Children and Family Services should provide a written report following their enquires and assessment
• Persons contributing to the conference should provide a written report at least two working days in advance of the conference
• For initial and review conferences, a minimum of Children and Family Services plus at least two other professional group or agencies who have had direct contact with the child or relevant expertise will be present
• Cancellation of a conference is rarely in the child’s best interest and should be exceptional. Consequently the all cancellations should be monitored and the reason for the cancellation recorded
• Those invited but not attending will send apologies in advance
• Those invited but unable to attend will ensure their contribution is made in writing to the chairperson

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Standard 4: Process of deciding whether a child should be Subject to a Child Protection Plan

A child should be Subject to a Child Protection Plan where it is shown that the child has suffered significant harm and / or the judgement is that further harm is likely. Where the criteria is met the conference should devise an outline inter-agency plan to protect the child

• Decisions to make a child Subject to a Child Protection Plan should follow the criteria in Working Together to Safeguard Children
• An initial assessment along with a report and chronology detailing the fuller s47 enquiries should be available to the conference
• Decision making in conferences should be based on information presented to the conference that has been fully evaluated by the participants
• Decision making in conferences should be consistent within and across conferences
• The method of reaching a decision within a conference should be set out in an CYSCB protocol and should be understood by all participants
• Decision making within child protection conferences should be based on the views of all the agencies represented and take into account any written submissions
• Conference participants should base their judgements and decisions on all the information presented
• Where a child is not Subject to a Child Protection Plan consideration should be given to any help or support required for the child or family to promote the child’s welfare
• Outline child protection plans should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and within a clear Timescale and contributed to by all the relevant agencies. The plan should clearly identify areas of significant concern along with specific protective measures to secure the child’s immediate safety

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Standard 5: Core groups and planning

The core group is responsible for developing the child protection plan as a detailed working tool, and implementing it, within the outline plan agreed at the initial child protection conference

• Membership of the core group should include the key worker (whose role is to coordinate the core group), the child (if appropriate), family members, and professionals who have direct contact with the family
• All members of the core group are jointly responsible for the formulation and implantation of the child protection plan
• The core group should monitor the progress of the plan against the specified objectives
• The core group should meet within 10 days of the initial child protection conference and should thereafter meet sufficiently regularly to achieve the objectives set out in the plan
• The child protection plan should set objectives that are, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and have a clear Timescale
• The core group should address the areas of significant concern identified within the outline child protection plan and produce specific objectives that to achieve lasting change
• Child protection plans should differentiate between objectives that seeks to achieve lasting change (impact objectives) and those that seek to provide immediate protection for the child
• Objectives should be agreed and based on the evidence of an assessment
• Plans should be signed by all agencies represented at the core group, the parents and where appropriate, the child

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Standard 6: Process of deciding whether a child should no longer be Subject to a Child Protection Plan

A decision for a child to no longer be Subject to a Child Protection Plan should only be made where it is judged that they are no longer at risk of significant harm and requiring a child protection plan or that the child has moved from the area or has reached the age of 18 years or the child has died

• Review conferences should be afforded the same status and respect as initial conferences as reflected by:
  • Attendance
  • Production of reports
  • Seniority or representation
• Core assessments should be available to the review conference and should:
  • Contain a synthesis and analysis of the information gathered
  • Form the basis of all planning and decision making
• The review conference should review the progress against a detailed inter-agency plan that has been devised by the core group.
• Child protection plans presented to review conferences should address the issues identified in the outline child protection plan.
• A decision for a child to be no longer Subject to a Child Protection Plan should only be made where the progress measured against the specific objectives in the child protection plan have been met and where it is assessed that the child is no long at risk of significant harm or where a child has reached the aged of 18 or moved from the area or where the circumstances have change to the extent that registration is no longer necessary
• Decision making in review conference should be based on information presented to the conference that has been fully evaluated by the participants
• Decision making in review conferences should be consistent within and across conferences

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Standard 7: Administrative arrangements and record keeping of conferences

Conferences should, as far as is practically possible, be arranged to facilitate attendance by the relevant agencies and family. Written records of conferences should provide an accurate account of the contribution of all participants

• Attendees should be notified of conferences as far in advance as possible
• Conferences should be held at a time and place likely to be convenient to as many particpants as possible
• A written record should be made of all meetings by a dedicated minute taker
• Minutes should include the essential facts of the case and include:
  • A summary of discussions, which accurately reflects the contributions made
  • A record of all decision made
  • A translation of decisions into an outline child protection plan that enables participants to be clear about their respective tasks
• Minutes should be sent as soon as possible after the conference to all those who attended or were invited to attend

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Standard 8: Accountability

Agencies should be accountable for the decisions; recommendations and plans made at conferences and conference chairpersons should be accountable to the City of York Safeguarding Children Board for the effective operation of conferences.

• All agencies should comply with the CYSCB standards relating to child protection conferences and reviews
• Where agency representatives, either in the initial conference, core group, or review, agree tasks the respective agency is responsible for ensuring that the action is carried out within the timescales agreed.
• Issues arising from an agencies inability to complete an agreed task should be notified to the chairperson
• The chairperson is responsible for ensuring that decisions relating to registration meet the criteria set out in national and local guidance
• The chairperson is responsible for ensuring that conferences operate effectively, in line with local and national guidance
• Complaints made about the conference should follow an agreed process and should be monitored
• Statistics should be produced for the CYSCB against criteria identified by the Board

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