Cumbria County Council

Serving the people of Cumbriacumbria.gov.uk

Child Protection Conference

How can I be involved if I don’t go?Your wishes and feelings are really important, if you don’t go you can still let people know what you think by:• MeetingwithyourIndependentReviewingOfficerbeforethemeeting(it’s

their role to get your views).• Speaking to your Social Worker who will share your thoughts, questions

and/or worries at the meeting.• Asking an advocate to go to the meeting for you.

If you don’t go your Independent Reviewing Officer will make sure your Social Worker tells you what was talked about and what will happen next.

What is an Advocate?• An Advocate is someone who doesn’t work for Children’s Services.• They are there to help you have your voice heard.• They will meet with you before and after the conference.• They can attend the meeting with you and sit next to you.• If you would like an advocate contact the National Youth Advocacy Service

known as NYAS • You can ring them on 0300 330 3131(Theyarefree).

How long will the meeting last?About 1-2 hours but some can be longer or shorter.

Will people listen to me?• YES - You are a very important person and everyone wants to know

what you think.• However they may not always be able to do what you want.

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My independent Reviewing Officer is:

I can ring my Independent Reviewing Officer on:

A guide for young people

This guide was developed with the Cumbria Children In Care Council to support you to attend the meeting.

Ifyourequirethisinformationinanotherformat(eg.CD,audiocassette,Brailleor large type) or in another language, please telephone 07554 438474.

07554 438474

07554 438474

07554 438474

07554 438474

07554 43847407554 438474

Cumbria County Council

Who will be there?• All the adults who work with you and know you.• YourIndependentReviewingOfficer(theyrunthemeeting)• A person who takes notes called a clerk.• Everything they hear and talk about is confidential

Will my parents be there?• YesBUTifyouhaveaproblemwiththispleasetellyourIndependentReviewingOfficer(IRO)

• YourIndependentReviewingOfficercandecidenottoinvitesomeone if they could disrupt the conference.

What will happen before the conference?You, your Social Worker and your Independent ReviewingOfficerwillmeetinprivate:• They will explain how you will be involved and talk

about any worries you have.• They will also meet with your parents.

What is a child protection conference?It’s a meeting to give you and your family support to help keep you safe.

Who will be in charge of the conference?YourveryownIndependentReviewingOfficeralsocalledanIRO.

What will the conference do?• The conference is about you so it’s very important

everyone knows what you think. • Share information.• Identify any problems you and your family may have.• Look to see if you’re at risk.• DecideifaChildProtectionPlanisneeded.•Choose what to do next to keep you safe, and how

everyone will work together to make this happen.

Can the conference decide if I will be taken away from my parents?•NO - it can only make a plan to make things safer

and better for you.• A court will decide if children can no longer live

with their parents. This only happens in very harmful situations.

Do I have to go?•NO - It’s your choice.•Remember you can talk to your IndependentReviewingOfficer(IRO)inprivate.

What will your Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) do?• They will meet you and your family members before the conference.• They will make sure everyone understands what the conference

will do and what will happen.• They will make sure that your views are heard at the conference.

What is a Child Protection Plan?• AChildProtectionPlanwillbedifferentforeverychildand

will depend on what you need.• It will try to make sure that you are protected from harm in

the future.• The plan is to make sure that everything that should be

done is done to keep you safe.