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When and How to Involve Parents and Carers

When making plans to protect a child all of those who have a significant relationship with the child should normally be involved. Unless to do so would place the child or another person at risk. This involvement may be from absent mothers or absent fathers and may include grandparents, extended family and friends, who have frequent contact with the child.

Normally the parent who has parental responsibility, and possibly the child (appropriate to their development), would be involved in the discussions about who would be appropriately involved.

There may be times when an absent mother or absent father, grandparents extended family and friends are involved without discussion and/or agreement from the parent who has parental responsibility.  This would be likely when it is clear that this involvement is needed to ensure the best outcome for the child.

Only the person with parental responsibility will be able to make certain decisions, i.e. for a child to be accommodated or for medical treatment to be obtained.

There will be a time when the mother, father (without parental responsibility) or others with a significant relationship would have considerable and relevant information about the child and could be active in preventing harm occurring to the child.