Child protection conference

[MPSCGS123]

My child has anorexia and autism and the social worker has set up a child protection conference citing harm by neglect due to her low weight. I have yet to receive the reports to see what the actual allegations are.

They are saying this is due to her refusal to be weighed at her appointment (she attended the appt but refused to step on the scale) one week but she was weighed the following week without issue). She has gained weight consistently in the last 4 weeks.

They are also saying that I have turned down a bed in a specialist eating disorder unit - this is untrue as we had not been offered a bed. CAMHS sid not speak to me to verify this and I learned this information from the social worker.
I communicated this to CAMHS before the strategy meeting and they still went ahead and said I had turned it down to social services.

I suspect there is an agenda here of community CAMHS wanting to wipe their hands of my child as they are not actually offering any suitable treatment that meets the needs of her disability.

My question is whether there is any appeal process if they go ahead and make a CPP?

What happens if I do not agree to the terms of the plan?

If I refuse to sign it, what could the repercussions be?

Is it better to sign it and then get legal advice?

Is it best to involve a solicitor at this point?

There is a possibility of us being able to move abroad quite quickly (within Europe where treatment is better) - would being on a CPP prevent this?

Thank you for any advice and support.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear MPSCGS123

Welcome to Family Rights Group parents’ discussion forum and thank you for posting.

I am Suzie, online adviser at Family Rights Group and will be responding to your post. It is likely that posters who have shared experiences may also respond to give you the benefit of their experience.

From your post you are feeling overwhelmed by having children’s services involved whilst you are trying to cope with your daughter’s additional needs. I am sorry that you are experiencing the difficulties you have mentioned.
It appears that children’s services received a safeguarding referral related to your daughter and decided to carry out s.47 child protection enquiries. The outcome of the assessment is that there should be an initial child protection conference (ICPC). You will be provided with a copy of the assessment report and invited to attend the ICPC. Other professionals involved with your daughter including school will also be invited. The purpose of the conference is to decide if a child protection plan (CPP) should be made, or it decide that it should be a child in need plan. You can read more about child protection HERE

Here is a film relating to procedure at an ICPC.

You mention that it has been said you refused a bed in a specialist unit for your daughter. I suggest that you ask for written confirmation of whom, when and the details of the unit that was provided to you. If this is not forthcoming, then I suggest you make a formal complaint to service which has stated you refused it.

Your agreement to a child protection plan is not required. The outline plan will be discussed at the ICPC and there will be core group meetings, the first one 10 days after the conference to finalise the plan. If there is anything suggested in the plan that you disagree with you can say this and give your reasons.

It is possible to challenge child protection conference, and you can read more HERE

If a child protection plan is in place and it is not followed this could lead children’s services to escalate the case to public law outline (PLO). This is the process related to the management by the court of cases and where children’s services start preparation to issue an application to the court. It is pre-proceedings procedure

There would be a PLO meeting, and you are entitled to have a solicitor at this meeting. Read more about PLO meeting

If the possibility exists to travel abroad for treatment you should make this know now rather than later. Give children’s services details of what is on offer so they can consider it. Having a child protection plan and then wishing to leave may lead to concerns you are leaving because of the child protection plan. Children’s services may argue that it is not in the child’s interests to travel. Also, it could trigger children’s services to apply to the court for an order to share parental responsibility so they can make decisions about your daughter.

You could apply to the court for order allowing the child to be taken out of the jurisdiction. Children’s services are not able to prevent you travelling but could take action to do so. They could also inform the social services where you plan to go of their involvement in England.

If you wish you can seek legal advice about the process you are in now and it is entirely your choice. Solicitors do not usually attend child protection conference, but this does not mean you cannot have one if you wish, there is no legal aid. There is legal aid for PLO meeting should this take place. Inform the social worker if you intend to have a solicitor. Children’s services will have their own legal representation if a solicitor attends.

You can post again if you have further queries. Should you wish to speak with one of our experienced advisers you can telephone our advice line on 0808 801 0366. The advice line is open from 9.30am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays)

Hope this is helpful.

Best wishes

Suzie