Helping you to understand Adult Support and Protection – Case Conferences
This information is for people who have been invited to a case conference. It tries to answer some of the questions you might have. If there is anything you are not sure about, you should speak to your social worker or another professional.
What is a case conference?
An Adult Support and Protection Case Conference is a meeting we have if people are worried you are not safe or that someone is causing you harm.
It is a meeting to talk about:
- whether you are at risk of harm
- what the harm might be
- how to help you stay safe in the future.
It is often held at a social work office or a GP practice or as a virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams.
Can I go to the case conference?
Yes – you will be invited to the meeting.
It is very important you feel able to have your say and be heard. It can be hard to speak up in a room full of people and it is normal to feel nervous. When you are invited to the case conference, your social worker will talk to you about who will be there and what will happen so you know what to expect.
You might want to think about:
- Writing down your views before the meeting
- Asking for a supportive person to go with you
- Asking for an independent advocate to go with you. This is a person who is specially trained to help people put across their feelings, views and wishes.
If you cannot go to the meeting or choose not to go, your social worker or another worker who knows you well will speak to you to find out what you think. They can tell the people at the meeting for you.
Who will be there?
The other people invited to the case conference will all be people who want you to be safe.
The meeting will be led by a chairperson. This is usually a manager from the Social Work service. They will make sure everyone has a chance to speak and be listened to.
The following people may be invited to the meeting:
- Your family and those people in your life who want to protect you from harm
- Your support worker and anyone else involved with your care
- Doctors, nurses, police officers or other professionals.
Tell your social worker if there is anyone you think should be invited.
If any person is not able to be there, they may send a written report which will be read out at the meeting.
Someone from social work will be there to write down what everyone has said. This is the record of the meeting called a ‘minute’.
What is a protection plan?
A protection plan is a plan to support and protect you from harm.
You will be involved in making the plan along with other people, like staff from social work, health, housing, Police and care services.
The plan will say what people will do to keep you safe.
If required, the Council can use its legal powers to apply for a protection order. A protection order can:
- Stop someone having contact with you.
- Move you to a safer place.
- Make sure you are getting the support you need.
What happens after the case conference?
Your supporter will meet with you after the meeting to talk about how it went and to go through the protection plan with you.
Your plan will be reviewed regularly. If it is not working, or your situation changes, another case conference will be held.
Remember, if you are finding it difficult to keep yourself safe, it is important to tell someone