1.7.2 Role of Independent Chair |
Contents
1. Before the Conference
The chair should allow sufficient time to prepare for the conference by reading reports and messages. The chair should identify gaps in information which may detract from the ability of conference members to make a judgement about registration.
The chair should arrange to meet with the parents/child/young person/parents' advocate/extended family members immediately prior to the conference. Such people should be advised to arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time of the conference. Ideally the chair should arrange to meet with the parents in the conference room and at the conclusion of that meeting invite professionals to join them. This is less intimidating for parents and enables parents to be seated where they feel most comfortable.
In the meeting with parents the chair should cover the following points:
- Ensure the family are aware of the agenda for the conference
- Clarify the purpose and objectives of the conference
- Check the parents have been given a written copy of the social worker's report for conference at least 24 hours beforehand
- If the child/young person is attending the conference check out how they would like to express their wishes and feelings in the conference
- Discuss and clarify the role in the conference of the parents' advocate if they have one
- If appropriate clarify any exclusions/partial exclusions and the reasons for these
- Inform family members that they will be given plenty of opportunity to express their views/comment/ ask questions but request them to wait until another participant has finished giving their information before they contribute
- If appropriate caution family members that threatening/abusive behaviour will not be tolerated within the conference
- Discuss any issues arising from disability, language, race, religion, culture or sexuality which should be taken into consideration in the conference
- Check with family members how they would like to be addressed in the conference and if necessary check name pronunciation
- Check with family members where they would prefer to be seated in the conference
- Discuss any possible time constraints the family may have e.g. collecting children from school
- Answer any questions family members may have about the process of the conference
2. Chairing the Conference
The chair has several key tasks during the conference:
- To maintain a clear focus on the welfare of the child/ren and the decisions which need to be taken.
- Enable all those present to make their full contribution to discussion and decision making and ensure information is represented from absent agencies by reading out written reports.
- Ensure the conference takes the decisions required of it, in an informed, systematic and explicit way.
- Endeavour to empower parents/young people so they are able to participate fully in the conference process in a constructive manner.
- Ensure the conference is conducted within an anti-discriminatory framework and that due consideration is given to any forms of oppression the family may be experiencing.
During the conference the chair should ensure the following is covered:
- The chair introduces her/himself and explains what is meant by "independent chair"
- Asks all participants to introduce themselves and clarify their role in relation to the family
- Reminds participants about confidentiality
- Reminds participants about working within an anti-discriminatory framework and not making comments that are of an oppressive or stereotypical nature
- Identifies any apologies
- Identifies written reports
- Outlines the purpose of the conference
- Checks family details and address and if appropriate who has parental responsibility for the child/ren
- If a review conference, checks the Child Protection Plan from the previous conference
- Asks the social worker to speak to her/his report outlining the most salient points including any ongoing concerns together with positives and strengths within the family
- Facilitates all the other participants to share their information and where possible structure the conference so that information is shared about each child in turn. Where relevant professionals should be asked to clarify, substantiate and justify statements made in their contributions. Participants should be encouraged to use clear, jargon-free language.
- Gives family members the opportunity to comment after each participant's contribution
- Ensures consideration is given to issues of religious persuasion, racial origin, cultural and linguistic background, class, gender, age, sexuality and disability.
- Clarifies all relevant information has been shared
- Summarises the information, identifying the ongoing child protection concerns and other stresses within the family that may impede the parents' ability to protect their children from significant harm. Comments on the strengths within the family. The summary should facilitate participants to assess the level of risk.
- Participants are asked to comment individually on registration.
- The test should be that either:
- The child can be shown to have suffered ill-treatment or impairment of health or development as a result of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse or neglect, and professional judgement is that further ill-treatment or impairment are likely; or
- Professional judgement, substantiated by the findings of enquiries in this individual case or by research evidence, is that the child is likely to suffer ill-treatment or the impairment of health or development as a result of physical emotional, or sexual abuse or neglect.
- Having considered all the participants' views, including the parents' views, the chair makes a decision about registration and outlines the reasons for her/his decision.
- Refers to the Child Protection Plan outlined in the social worker's report and facilitates other conference members to contribute to the plan. Family members should be actively involved in this process and the chair should ensure that they are clear about what is expected of them alongside what support will be offered to them. The child protection plan should identify risks of significant harm to the child and ways in which the child can be protected through an inter-agency plan based on assessment findings. The chair should ensure there is clarity around who is responsible for what actions and within what specified timescales.
- Sets date for the next conference
3. Following the Conference
- Completes a written decision sheet within 24 hours of the conference
- Ensures that the minutes of the conference are an accurate representation of the meeting
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