Section 47 Strategy Meeting Minutes access

[DEDad]

Hi. We have been told from our Social worker they do not have supply this.
Yet a friend who has also been in same situation said they received the minutes when requested.
Is this legally correct that although we did not attend we are not allowed to see what was said and who attended.
This lack of transparency from Child Services does not help when told repeatedly that they work with 'you'
Any advice greatly appreciated

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear DEDad

Welcome to the parents’ discussion board and thank you for your post. My name is Suzie. I am Family Rights Group’s online adviser. I am sorry to hear that you and your family are having difficulties. You are also concerned that Children’s Services are not working openly with you.

A strategy meeting is the forum where professionals share information in response to a referral or incident to decide whether to begin child protection enquiries. If they do decide to begin a child protection investigation the strategy meeting plans how this will be achieved i.e. it allocates tasks to different professionals e.g. police and social workers and timescales for completing. Parents are not invited to attend strategy meetings as the concerns may relate to them. Sometimes there may be a parallel criminal investigation taking place. Parents are usually given verbal feedback about the outcome of strategy meetings.

You would like a copy of the strategy meeting minutes in your child/ren’s case. The social worker has said that they don’t have to provide them. It is correct that strategy meeting minutes are not routinely shared due to their confidential nature and their significance in initiating child protection enquiries. So your social worker’s response is not unusual. However, your note that your friend has received theirs. It is likely that the consent of everyone who attended the meeting was obtained before they were shared.

I would suggest that you ask the social worker in writing, copying in their manager, if you can have a copy and explaining why you want them. You can also if you can have a copy of their policy on distribution of strategy meeting minutes.

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your request you can make a complaint .

You can also contact the Information Commissioner’s Office If you need further advice on accessing personal information and data protection.

I hope this helps.

Please post again if you have a further query about children’s services ,or alternatively you can ring our freephone advice line: 0808 801 0366. (Mon to Fri, 9.20 am to 3.00 pm (except bank holidays) or you can use web chat or advice enquiry.

Best wishes

Suzie

[DEDad]

Thanks Suzie