No. 23: Initial case conferences
Contents
Section 47 Enquiry
Where a Section 47 Enquiry determines that an Initial Child Protection Conference should be held, the Conference must be held within a maximum of 15 working days of the Strategy Discussion or, where more than one has taken place, of the Strategy Discussion at which the Section 47 Enquiry was initiated. The urgency of the situation, however, may dictate that the timescale is shorter.
In the time between the conclusion of the Section 47 Enquiry and the Initial Child Protection Conference, interim protection arrangements must be agreed with clear roles and responsibilities, based on the outcome of the Section 47 Enquiry, in order to ensure that the child is protected until the Conference is held.
Those attending conferences should only be there because they have a significant contribution to make either because of their expertise relevant to the case or their knowledge of the child or family.
There should be sufficient information and expertise available, through attendance and written reports, to enable the Conference to make an informed decision about what action is necessary to safeguard and promote the welfare of the child.
Reports should be submitted to the Quality Assurance Reviewing and Safeguarding service before the meeting is due to take place – 2 days for ICPC and 5 days for RCPC Reports should be shared with the child (if appropriate) and parents/carers at least 3 days before the meeting.
Report forms for Devon are available at:
The report must be completed in as much detail as possible looking at concerns and risks of harm to the child including impact and previous history alongside the strengths of the family, protective factors and any grey areas, including other support available. All reports will be used to agree a practical plan which will safeguard the child.
You will be required to bring 6 copies of your report to the meeting to enable professional discussion to take place prior to the parents’ meeting. All agencies that are working with the child and family will be invited to the meeting alongside family members, police, health and possibly legal representatives. All reports will be contained within the Childs’ confidential file – the meeting attended and by whom will be noted on the Childs’ chronology along with any actions needed as a result of the conference. All school reports may be attached to the file when a child transfers to a new school or setting within the Safeguarding file addressed to the DSL of the receiving school and should be reflected in the receipt requested.
Further information
Child Protection Pathway DSCP: https://www.devonscp.org.uk/training-and-resources/child-protection-pathway/