Climate Child protection CONFERENCING
What does a climate-based conference look like?
The structure and process of a climate-based conference is similar to that of a usual child protection conference for named children. The main differences are:
- who is invited to the table
- who will take the lead role in developing and actioning the resultant plan, although oversight and review of planning will remain with the social worker
The attendees will consist of those who are able to play a part in lessening the harm. Identify who has responsibility or a stake related to the source of the risks/ harms - whether it be local council, businesses or community groups. This may include the localities manager, healthcare providers, air quality manager, highways and parks department at the Local Authority, to name a few examples. It is likely that many of these professionals and agencies will be unfamiliar with the workings of child protection processes. The social worker and conference chair will support everyone through the process.
If there are a number of parents who have referred, or a single referral for a group of children, speak to the families involved and invite one or two representatives as decided by the group.
Contextual Safeguarding provides information on 'community conferencing' which is likely to be the most appropriate response to a climate-based referral. You can read the link below to get an idea of what 'community conferencing' looks like. Both the Contextual Safeguarding research team, and CCPAST, are able to provide guidance and advice if needed. https://www.contextualsafeguarding.org.uk/blog/community-conferencing/
