Child Protection Plans

Social Services have a statutory obligation to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children.

If Social Services invite you to attend a Child Protection Conference it is because they have some concerns about the safety of your children. If you are asked to attend a Child Protection Conference you should seek legal advice as you may be eligible for free advice.

Here at Johnson Astills we have a specialist care department who are experts in child care law and can advise, assist and represent you throughout your involvement with Social Services. We will assess you for free legal advice through Legal Aid as in many cases, free legal advice can be obtained.

A Child Protection Conference is a meeting with you and professionals involved in your children’s lives, e.g. health visitor or teacher, and it is where plans are made with you about what needs to be done to protect your children or ensure that all their needs are being met which include health, accommodation, stimulation and being kept safe from risky individuals. That plan may involve you attending groups or undertaking direct work with professionals.

As a parent, you should be told the following:

1. The reason for there being a Child Protection Plan,
2. What you need to do to make sure that your child/ren are kept safe,
3. What services are being offered to assist you,
4. Who you are able to contact if you need any more information.

A Child Protection Plan will initially be reviewed after three months, and thereafter every 6 months for the duration of the Child Protection Plan. Alongside the conferences you will be invited to attend Core Group Meetings every six weeks. These meetings will involve you and the professionals involved with your child/ren and the purpose them is to develop the Child Protection Plan and ensure that agreed action takes place.

If, after attending a Child Protection Conference your children are made subject to a Child Protection Plan and Social Services do not see changes being made within the family home or their concerns increase they can seek their own legal advice and enter into Court proceedings. Care proceedings can be a worrying time for any parent and our specialist solicitors in the care department at Johnson Astills will be there for you along the way to advise and assist you to achieve the best outcome for your children and you.

If Social Services are involved with your family and you would like to speak to one of our specialist solicitors within the care department at Johnson Astills, please do not hesitate to call us on 0116 255 4855.