Child Protection Conference Professional Dissent Process
The Reviewing Officer who chairs the Child Protection Conference will ensure that all who attend have the opportunity to share their views and discuss what is working well for the child and family and what people are worried about to support the decision making of the conference.
There may be occasions during a Child Protection Conference when after hearing all the information shared at Conference professionals do not agree with the outcome of the meeting and feel that threshold has or has not been met for a child or children to be subject to a Protection Plan.
It is important that all dissents are properly considered and there is a transparent process within which concerns can be escalated. All dissents will be recorded formally within the Decisions Outcome and Recommendations forms and the Child Protection minutes.
All professionals who have dissented at a Child Protection Conference will need to discuss their reasons with their line manager and safeguarding lead, prior to formal written dissents being submitted.
The reasons for the dissent must be put in writing and sent to the relevant IRO Service Manager/Head of Service as soon as possible but no later than 5 working days from the Child Protection Conference.
The referral will then be passed onto the nominated representatives of the Quality, Learning and Practice group. A meeting will be held within 5 working days of receipt of the dissent form, the reports and minutes from the conference will be reviewed and a decision will be made to either confirm the Conference outcome or to request the Conference be reconvened with a different chair. Professionals and family will be informed of the outcome.
To access the form please click on the following link: