Nobody wants to be in a position where their child needs a child protection plan. However, if your child is or has suffered significant evidential abuse or neglect, it is required by the UK family courts.
What is included in a child protection plan?
A child protection plan informs you of several things. The most important being the reason your child needs that plan. It should stipulate protective measures ensuring your child’s safeguarding. The plan must consider the wishes and feelings of the child, and the views of the parents, as far as they are consistent with the child’s welfare.
The child protection plan sets out what works needs to be done, why, by when and by whom. All the professionals involved is named by the document. The program should be clear about responsibilities and actions with achievable child-focused outcomes aimed to reduce the risk of harm and promoting child welfare. Realistic strategies detailing specific activities, is paramount to achieve these outcomes.
What is a review conference?
These conferences aim to take place every 3 to 6 months. They are meetings between all the concerned parties involved with the family about any child’s safety, health, and development. They may be held following a Section 47 Investigation, and they look at all the circumstances to decide the best approach to safeguard and promote a child’s welfare. Parents can request to bring a Mckenzie friend or relative with them for support. Parents are also entitled to have a solicitor present. However, they cannot speak on the parent’s behalf.
When will a child come off a child protection plan?
Nobody wants to keep a child on a child protection plan for longer than necessary. Therefore, a child will be taken off any project who is judged they are no longer continuing to (or are believed to be suffering) significant harm. A plan will also end once the child has reached 18 years old if the child dies or has permanently left the UK.
CourtTogether – we can help you through a tough time
If a child protection plan is part of your divorce proceedings it will naturally elevate levels of anxiety and tension. Finding a positive outcome is therefore crucial to your future relationships and mental health. A child must rightly be protected if there is evidence of harm or abuse. If you have been falsely accused of harm or is the party forced to seek a child protective plan, you benefit from support and guidance to understand the process. We would most certainly advice you to seek legal help on such an important matter. CourtTogether helps you to clarify your concerns and set logical steps of action to better brief counsel. If you are not able to instruct a solicitor, we are here to show you the best way forward, for you and your child. Our guidance is based on real family courts case experience helping clients like you.
