The Conference will be chaired by a Child Protection Co-ordinator who is independent from the Social Services Team.

Your Social Worker will ask you to arrive with them 15 minutes before the Conference begins so that the person running the Conference can talk to you about what happens once the Conference starts. It is their job to introduce everyone to each other and explain why the Conference is being held.

Everyone will then be asked to say what they know about your child and family. There will then be a discussion about whether people's worries are justified and, if so, whether they are serious enough for further action to be taken.

Your views will be considered and, where the child is old enough, his/her views too.

The conference will then decide, as a group, what to do.

The Conference will be recorded (minuted) and you will be sent a copy of the minutes.

There are 3 possible outcomes

1. No further action

The conference can conclude that your child is being cared for well enough and there is no need for further action.

2. Decision

The conference can decide:

• To put your child's name on the Child Protection Register. If you child's name is put on the Register, it is possible that the name of any other children living with you will also be registered.

• Who the "keyworker" will be. This is the person who will carry the main responsibility for your child's case and will usually be a Social Worker from the Social Services Department.

3. Recommendations

The Conference can recommend to individual agencies what action they should take. For example:

• What sort of help should be provided for you, your child and your family.

• If any or further action should be taken by the Police.

• Whether legal action should be taken concerning your child. This might include applying for a Court Order to remove your child from home or to start legal proceedings (this is rare).