Hi Sasha
Welcome to the board.
Just to pick up a couple of points that have been made so far.
Child Protection Conference (s)The
child protection conference can only consider whether or not the threshold for significant harm has been met, and if a child protection plan, and or additional
family support is required, and over what timescale, not whether a child should be removed from their parents care.
Core Group MeetingsThe core group meeting will be the forum to develop and progress the outline child protection plan made at the child protection conference. These meetings are usually shorter and more informal, than the child protection conference. They are usually chaired by the allocated social worker, or senior member of the team. The attendance at these meetings should be prioritised by all involved professionals, so they can update the core group about their involvement, concerns, and any support being offered.
Legal Planning MeetingThese meetings are held between professionals, where there are concerns about a child’s welfare, and allows the Local Authority to seek legal advice, particularly if there are doubts about whether this can be safely managed in the community. A parent could then be asked to seek legal advice, particularly if Children’s services are intending to take court action.
Pre proceedings (PLO public law outline) meeting Do you know if consideration given to either a PLO (public law outline) or pre- proceedings agreement being entered into with the parents, as a last resort before
care proceedings was mentioned? This is usually a further opportunity for both (or one) parent to meet with the social work team, in the presence of solicitor (s), in order to formally address the concerns that have been raised by the Local Authority, what support will be required, and within a set time period.
Residential AssessmentYou say it is possible that a residential assessment of your daughter’s parenting capacity is being considered, this will be subject to resources, and funding being available. In the meantime, she should continue to engage with any assessments, or support, and work closely with her solicitor so she can participate in any plans that are being made for her child.
Family Group ConferenceFamily Group Conferences are usually held, when safe planning for children with alternative family members as carers or where additional support, if a parent is struggling to meet a child’s needs. The meeting requires at least one person with parental responsibility to give their consent, and will be chaired by an independent person.
Placement of grandson with your friendYou mention that your friend is a foster carer. Do you know what discussions, if any, have been held with her about the possibility of her offering long term care to your grandson? If she is in a position to take on this role, she should make herself known to the social work team. In doing so, identify her professional status, and relationship to your grandchild, so that the need for any assessments, can be clarified as soon as possible.
In theory, your grandson can be placed with her, with immediate effect. In an
immediate placement, Children's Services then have sixteen weeks to approve her as
a
foster carer, which can be extended to twenty four weeks if necessary. She may have certain entitlements to
support. Alternatively, she may wish to consider applying for a
residence or
special guardianship order. If she is already assessed as a foster carer, any previous assessments that have taken place, will be taken into account.
ADHD Support groups for parentsResources for parents with ADHD are generally limited, but she may wish to contact Mencap 0808 808 1111
http://www.mencap.org.uk/ or Family Action 020 7254 6251
http://www.family-action.org.uk/, two organisations that may be useful, because of their experience of supporting parents with learning disabilities. For instance, there may be practical or mentoring support available to your daughter, at what is clearly a difficult time.
If your daughter wishes to discuss her situation in more detail, she could contact the Family Rights Group advice line, on 0808 801 0366 Monday to Friday 09.30 am to 03.30 pm.
Best Wishes
Suzie