Involvement of children and families in child protection

Children have a right to participation as well as to protection and the provision of conditions favourable to their development Children and young people should have the opportunity to be involved in all decisions affecting their lives Their right to protection and participation are enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

• Anyone working with children should involve them at every stage of the child protection process, see and speak to the child, listen to what they say, take their views seriously and work with them collaboratively when deciding how to support their For babies and infants their presentation and pattern of behaviours must be considered.
• Child Protection Investigations need to be conducted taking cognisance of the fact that children may fear reprisals if they disclose, for example: grooming/coercion; threats of physical or emotional harm or that disclosures will result in social consequences such as isolation, bullying, or being treated differently by peers.
• Workers should explain the purpose and outcome of the investigation to children (having regard to age and understanding) and be prepared to answer questions openly, unless to do so would affect the safety and welfare of the child.
• Babies and young children have a voice that must be listened to This voice is heard and seen in the noises and movements they make, their response to the environment and in their interactions with the people who are with them The Voice of the Infant: best practice
• Guidance and infant pledge provide guidance on how to take account of infants’ views and rights. The term ‘Voice of the Infant’ is used to convey our understanding that babies have their own minds and have things to communicate from birth The guidelines offer suggestions about how those who work with babies and very young children can notice, facilitate and share the infant’s feelings, ideas and preferences which they have let us know about through their gaze, body language and vocalisations.

Parents and those with parental responsibilities should be informed at the earliest opportunity of concerns, unless to do so would place the child at risk of significant harm or undermine a criminal investigation.

Professionals should work in partnership with parents and carers, recognising that they are the experts in their own lives Good communication should be maintained with parents and carers throughout the child protection process Concerns should be shared with them in a way that does not judge or blame them and allows them the opportunity to reflect, learn and bring about the change or provide the support needed to keep their children safe.

Adults involved in the process should be offered a referral to You First Advocacy. The role of a parent’s advocate is to provide support and representation to the parent or parents involved in the child protection process Parent advocates are trained in advocating for the rights and best interests of parents within the context of child protection proceedings Their primary objective is to ensure that the parents have a voice, are fully informed about their rights and options, and are able to actively participate in the decision-making process.

Parents and carers or others with parental responsibilities should be invited to the Child Protection Planning Meeting. They need sufficient time and support before, during and after the meeting to understand shared information, including concerns and decisions The Chair should meet with the family prior to the meeting.

The Chair should encourage the parent or carer to express their views, while bearing in mind that they may have negative feelings regarding practitioners’ intervention in their family The Chair should make certain that parents/carers are informed in advance about how information and discussion will be presented and managed.

Parents/Carers may need to bring someone to support them when they attend the Child Protection Planning Meeting such as an advocacy worker. They may also request to bring a friend/family member and this will be at the discretion of the Chair. The support person is there solely to support the parent/carer and has no other role within the Child Protection Planning Meeting.

Any support required to ensure that parents /carers can fully participate in the meeting should be considered, for example an interpreter.

Children and young people should be invited to Child Protection Planning Meetings where it is appropriate but the following must be considered:

• The best way to give them information to help them understand and take part in the meeting
• The emotional impact of attending a meeting, as meetings can be disturbing or confusing for children who attend
• A decision not to invite the child or young person should be verbally communicated to them, unless there are reasons not to do so
• Professionals should agree who is best placed to prepare the child for the meeting such as Social Worker, advocacy worker, pastoral care teacher etc
• The Chair should meet with the child individually prior to the meeting to explain the reason for the meeting and to gain their views This should take place regardless of whether the child is attending the meeting
• Where a child is not attending the meeting in person, the Social Worker must ensure that the child is comfortable with how they will be involved in the meeting—for example, a pre- meeting with Chair, virtual via tablet/phone, a written report by the child/advocate or a person of the child’s choice
• Meetings should be as child and family friendly as possible and arrangements in put place for a child to attend all or part of the meeting
• The Child Protection Planning Meeting should consider whether a child should attend the Core Group