Dear colleagues,

I am writing to inform you of changes to our Child Protection Conference (CPC) timings, effective from Monday 2 November 2026. These changes are intended to provide a more structured approach, allow parents and carers time to meet with the Child Protection Chair before the conference, and ensure sufficient time for meaningful multi-agency discussion.

The revised timings will be as follows:

Morning conferences

• 9.30am–10.00am: Pre-conference meeting between parents/carers and the Child Protection Chair.
• 10.00am: Conference starts, with multi-agency professionals joining at this time.
• Conference slot reserved until 12.30pm.

Afternoon conferences

• 1.30pm–2.00pm: Pre-conference meeting between parents/carers and the Child Protection Chair.
• 2.00pm: Conference starts, with multi-agency professionals joining at this time.
• Conference slot reserved until 4.30pm.

A Child Protection Conference would normally be expected to take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. The allocated slots provide additional flexibility to accommodate exceptional circumstances, such as the use of interpreters, split conferences, large sibling groups or other complex situations where additional time is required. The intention is not to extend every conference unnecessarily, but to ensure sufficient time is available when needed to support effective discussion and decision-making.

Action required for all professionals

From 2 November 2026, please:

• Update your diaries and meeting arrangements to reflect the revised conference start times.
• Attend promptly at the scheduled start time — 10.00am for morning conferences and 2.00pm for afternoon conferences. The earlier time is reserved for the parents’/carers’ pre-meeting with the Child Protection Chair.
• Prioritise attendance and preparation, ensuring that reports and relevant information are shared in advance in line with local procedures.
• Inform parents and carers of the expected conference timings and remind them to make any necessary childcare arrangements, particularly for afternoon conferences scheduled until 4.30pm.
• Notify the relevant conference coordinator as early as possible if you anticipate any difficulties attending or if additional arrangements may be required.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued partnership in implementing these changes and maintaining a child-centred approach to conference practice.