Children and young people are a key source of information about their lives and the impact any problems are having on them in the specific culture and values of their family. It is therefore puzzling that the evidence shows that children are not being adequately included in child protection work.
The Munro Review of Child Protection: Final Report - A child-centred system. 2011(Ch 2.5 p25).
Muench et al., (2017) in a study of twenty-three children between 8-18 years of age, concluded that children and young people's understanding of child protection conferences and their participation within them is minimal, highlighting that the methods used to engage children in this process are largely ineffective.
The following should be considered by practitioners:
- There is a significant difference between conference participation and attendance. The aim is to provide a child with a voice in the conference arena rather than sitting as a passive conference member. The latter is tokenistic unless the child has specifically requested this.
- A child or young person can participate in several ways. They do not always need to be at the conference in order to participate. The following should be considered:
- Advocacy
- Attendance
- Viewpoint provided in the report of the social worker or other practitioner trusted by the child at school
- Direct work by a practitioner prior to conference
- A letter, drawing, text etc.
- If the child does not wish to attend conference or are considered not to be of sufficiently mature to manage conference content, alternative ways of securing their voice should be considered as described above.
- Whatever approach is taken the child should feel:
- Supported to express their views and feelings, for example given support to organise their thoughts
- Empowered that someone is giving them a voice rather than interpreting their feelings from a professional perspective
- Involved so that they recognise they are important, and others want to hear what they have to say
- Positive about the experience in as much as their contribution is valued.
If the child or young person wishes to attend the conference and can understand the conference content and process, then consideration should be given to ways in which to support their participation.
This can be achieved by:
- Preparation time should be spent explaining the task and process ensuring the child knows who is going to be attending and why.
- It can be helpful to take the child to the venue prior to the event and ‘walk’ them through what will happen.
- The social worker should establish if there are things the child wants to say but are afraid to say them in the conference arena. If so, ways should be found so the child is able to provide this information.
- Age appropriate leaflets and videos are useful (See local RSB protocols etc)
- Support during the conference the child should meet the chair before the conference and have task and process explained in an age appropriate manner and any questions answered.
- Prior to conference the social worker and chair should discuss whether there are parts off the conference when the child/ren should not be in the room.
- Children find it easier if they are in the room prior to the practitioners and are able to have a say as to where they sit and which practitioners, they would like near them.
- The chair should break the ice and relieve tension at the start of the conference in a manner that is appropriate bearing in mind the purpose of the conference.
- The sooner the young person can say something the more likely they are to participate. Asking the child about their family, for example, who lives in the household, can be a useful ice-breaker.
- Avoid jargon and try and use lay language. It can be useful for an advocate and/or child/parent to hold up a card if they do not understand something. But check this is something the child would like to do.
- De-briefing and support afterwards often young people leave the conference confused and hurt by some of the things they have heard. Moreover, they might misconstrue what has been said.
- It is important therefore that the child or young person has an opportunity, immediately after the conference, to discuss their feelings and the outcome. They need a chance to seek clarification and know what is going to happen next.
- It is also important that they receive positive feedback for their contribution. They may also be worried about the response of their parent/s to some of the things that they have said. This should be checked out and the social worker and advocate should find a way to manage this.
(From Aldridge 2012)
Further information:
Aldridge L, (2012) Improving Participation for children and young people in Child Protection Conferences London Daphne. www.rbkc.gov.uk/
Children in Wales (2016) Children and Young People National Participation Standards www.childreninwales.org.uk/
Muench K, Diaz C and Wright R (2017) Children and Parent Participation in Child Protection Conferences: A Study in One English Local Authority, Child Care in Practice, 23:1, 49-63,