A guide to child protection for Roma parents

Summary

If you have been contacted by children's services you may feel confused or scared. You may be worried about what could happen to your children. We have created this guide for Roma families but the information is also relevant for any other parents living in England who are contacted by children's services about their children. The information in this guide applies to England only. 1 Introduction 2 Who is this guide for? 3 Professionals who work with children 4 Other professionals you might meet and need to work with 5 Services for every child in England 6 Early help 7 Child in need 8 Child protection 9 Helping a child in immediate danger 10 Voluntary accommodation 11 Investigation 12 Assessing the risk of harm 13 What is ‘harm’ and when is it ‘significant’? 14 Types of harm 15 After investigation and assessment 16 Child protection conferences and child protection plans 17 Child protection conferences - short films 18 How to best help your child and your family 19 Working with social workers and other professionals 20 Before going to court 21 Court 22 The 5 main stages in care proceedings 23 The different orders a court can make about your child 24 Court hearings 25 When and how to.

Key information

• •what children's services want, and
• •the best way for you to respond.
• •the different ways children’s services can become involved with your family from early help to court proceedings,
• •how to build a positive relationship with social workers for the sake of your child and your whole family, and,
• •when and why you should get legal advice from a solicitor who specialises in children law.
• •If you have been contacted by children's services you may feel confused or scared. You may be worried about what could happen to your children. We have created this guide for Roma families but the information is also relevant for any other parents living in England who are contacted by children's services about their children.
• •1 Introduction 2 Who is this guide for? 3 Professionals who work with children 4 Other professionals you might meet and need to work with 5 Services for every child in England 6 Early help 7 Child in need 8 Child protection 9 Helping a child in immediate danger 10 Voluntary accommodation 11 Investigation 12 Assessing the risk of harm 13 What is ‘harm’ and when is it ‘significant’? 14 Types of harm 15 After investigation and assessment 16 Child protection conferences and child protection plans 17 Child protection conferences - short films 18 How to best help your child and your family 19 Working with social workers and other professionals 20 Before going to court 21 Court 22 The 5 main stages in care proceedings 23 The different orders a court can make about your child 24 Court hearings 25 When and how to find a solicitor who specialises in children law 26 Paying for a solicitor and legal aid 27 Working with your solicitor 28 Community organisations who work with Roma in England 29 About this guide
• •If you have been contacted by children's services you may well feel worried. It's important you stay calm, and get support from a community organisation that can help you understand:
• •* what's happening, * what children's services want, and * the best way for you to respond.
• •You will find a list of community organisations who work with Roma in England at the end of this guide.
• •* the different ways children’s services can become involved with your family from early help to court proceedings, * how to build a positive relationship with social workers for the sake of your child and your whole family, and, * when and why you should get legal advice from a solicitor who specialises in children law.
• •Knowing and understanding more will help you feel less scared about what is happening.

Practical guidance

• •Source: [A guide to child protection for Roma parents](https://www.advicenow.org.uk/get-help/family-and-children/childrens-social-services/help-roma-families/guide-child-protection)

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