Child Protection Conferences

Together, the Child Protection Conferences & Core Groups Guide and Discontinuing a Child Protection Plan documents provide end-to-end guidance on how professionals in Gateshead manage children at risk of significant harm. The first outlines how cases progress to a child protection conference, how professionals should prepare and share information, and how decisions are made about creating and reviewing child protection plans. It stresses multi-agency collaboration, the child’s voice, clear roles, and ongoing review through core groups. The second document focuses on when and how child protection plans should end, particularly where court proceedings or orders are in place, and emphasises that ending a plan should not mean ending support—Child in Need plans should be considered to ensure long-term safety. Together, they ensure consistent, accountable, and child-centred safeguarding practice from the start of formal intervention through to safe discontinuation of a plan.