This policy was last reviewed in October 2025.
Next review due October 2027.
October 2025: This chapter was amended throughout in line with local practice.
Child Protection Conferences must be informed enough to make safe, timely decisions about safeguarding and planning. In some situations, flexibility is needed to avoid unnecessary delays that could negatively impact the child and their family.
The normal minimum representation of agencies for a quorate Conference is Children’s Social Worker and at least two other agencies with direct family/child involvement. However, Working Together to Safeguard Children and local best practice allow for flexibility.
In certain circumstances the Chair may decide to go ahead despite a lack of agency representation, and in these cases an early review date will be set.
A Conference may still go ahead if:
- Children’s Social Care and one other agency are present;
- other key agencies have submitted written reports;
- there is enough information to make informed decisions;
- delaying the meeting could negatively affect the child.
When a Conference is declared inquorate or the Chair decides that it is not in the best interest of the child for the Conference to proceed, the Chair will adjourn and will undertake the following:
- from the information available ensure an interim safety plan is in place;
- ensure the adjourned Conference is re-arranged to happen within 10 working days (for ICPCs) or within a month (for reviews);
- for a Review Conference, review the existing plan and set another Conference date keeping within the timescales of first review within three months, and subsequent reviews within six months of the last review.
