Pre-birth Child Protection Conferences
Concerns for an unborn child are to be dealt with in accordance with the consultation and referral process, as set out in these procedures.
In cases where the Initial Assessment indicates that the unborn child may be a child in need, including in need of protection, a Core Assessment will be completed. This should be prepared in time for presentation to the pre-birth Child Protection Conference.
In cases where there is concern that the child may be subject to, or at risk of, significant harm at the time of birth, a strategy discussion will be required. The involvement of midwifery services is vital at this stage.
A Pre-birth Child Protection Conference will be convened at least four weeks before the expected delivery date of the baby. It will consider the outcome of the core assessment and make a decision, if necessary, on the future protection plan. This plan is to be known as the Pre-birth Protection Plan. The Board has agreed special arrangements for this plan and for its conversion into a child protection plan at the birth of the child. The arrangements for Pre-birth Child Protection Conferences can be found in the document library.
The Midwifery Service will be invite and will make every effort to be present at pre-birth conferences. It is important that this Conference makes an informed decision about whether or not the child should remain in the parents' care and draws up protection plans that are consistent with that decision.