What happens next - when abuse is reported
Child protection case conferences
If people who know you are worried that you are not being kept safe or that you are not being looked after properly then social work can arrange a meeting to discuss what is happening in your life and how you can be supported and protected.
Who will be there?
- Your parents or the people who care for you
- Any family members or friends who can help
- Workers who know you and your family
Can I attend?
If you are old enough to understand what is happening and people think it will not be too upsetting for you, then you will be invited to the conference. It is important that the people at the conference know what your views are because this helps them make the right decisions for you.
If you cannot go or you don’t want to go to the conference then you can talk to a worker who knows you well. They can then tell the conference what you think. If you prefer you could write down what you think.
The conference will be interested to know what you think about:
- What do you like about living in your family?
- Are there things, which you find hard or upsetting?
- Who are the people who help and support you most?
- What would help you and your family?
What is the conference for?
- To gather and share information about you and your family
- To discuss the worries and concerns people have about you
- To think about what could help
- To decide whether you name should be on the child protection register
- To plan what needs to happen to make sure you are safe and looked after properly
If there is anything you do not understand about child protection meetings or the child protection register please ask any of the workers involved with you and they will try to answer your questions.