| Q |
What is a Child Protection Conference? |
| A |
It is a meeting where people who know you come together to talk because they think you have been harmed or you are not being looked after properly by your parents or carers.
Don’t worry – we are not meeting because of something you have done. We meet to talk about how you are being cared for.
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| Q |
Who will be there? |
| A |
There will be a number of people there. These may include a social worker, your teacher, your doctor, health visitor and a police officer. You may not know some of these people. One of them is in charge of the meeting. He/she is called a chairperson.
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| Q |
Can I go? |
| A |
Yes, ask your social worker to arrange this for you.
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| Q |
Will my mum or dad be there? |
| A |
Yes, it’s important that they are there, but they can’t be forced to attend if they don’t want to.
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| Q |
What will be talked about in the meeting? |
| A |
Before the meeting, the social worker will talk to you and your mum and dad, and write a report. You will be able to see the report and check that it is right. Other people who know you may also write a report. These reports will be discussed in the meeting.
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| Q |
What if I want to say something I don’t want my mum and dad to hear? |
| A |
You can tell the social worker about it, and special arrangements will be made for it to be passed on confidentially
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| Q |
Can I bring someone with me? |
| A |
Yes, you can choose an adult to come with you.
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| Q |
What if I am worried about something before the meeting, or what if I want to ask a question? |
| A |
You can ask the social worker, or somebody you know, like a teacher, who will be there. They will try and answer your question before the meeting. You can also ask the chairperson who will meet you before the meeting.
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| Q |
What will happen in the meeting? |
| A |
If the people in the meeting think that you have been hurt or have not been looked after properly, your name will be put on a list and a Child Protection Plan will be drawn up
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| Q |
What does that mean? |
| A |
This means that a plan will be made to help you and your family. This is so that your family can be helped to look after you better. Someone called a social worker will visit your house and talk to you, your mum and dad and to people that you know.
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| Q |
How long will the Child Protection Plan last for? |
| A |
Another meeting will be held in a few months to decide if things are better. If they are, then your name will be taken off the list. If things are not better, your name will stay on the list and another meeting will be held a few months later
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| Q |
Can I say something in the meeting? |
| A |
Yes, it very important to know what you think. In the meeting, the chairperson will ask you if you want to say something.
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| Q |
What if I want to ask a question about something that was said in the meeting? |
| A |
You can ask the social worker who will help you.
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| Q |
What if I want to complain about something that was said or done by one of these people, or that I did not like? |
| A |
You can ask your social worker about something called a complaints procedure. Or you can contact the Children’s Complaints Officer on 01924 305947 or Freephone 0800 3891970 or you can text the word ‘complain’ to 80010.
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| Q |
What if I do not like the social worker? |
| A |
You can talk to someone you trust or you could telephone:–
- Children’s Complaints Officer - 0800 389 1970
- Barnardo’s Children’s Advocacy – 01977 722020
- Family Rights Group – 0207 249 0008
- Childline – 0800 1111
- NSPCC – 0800 800 5000
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