Core group

This is a small group of professionals and family members who meet after an initial child protection conference. The aim of a core group meeting is to develop the outline child protection plan. Regular core group meetings look to make sure the work set out in the plan is carried out, and changed as necessary.

The core group is usually led by the child’s social worker and will include other people, such as a health visitor, teacher or GP. These will be the professionals who work most closely with the child and know them best.

If they are old enough the child may also be invited to attend or else take part in some other way.

The first meeting of the group should be within 10 working days of the initial child protection conference. The group will decide how often it needs to meet to make sure the child protection plan is being carried out.