2.03 The importance of Partnership in Child Protection
2.3.1 Family members have a unique role and importance in the lives of children who attach great value to their family relationships. Family members often know more about their family than anyone else, and well-founded decisions about a child should draw upon this knowledge and understanding.
2.3.2 Family members should normally have the right to know what is being said about them and to contribute to important decisions about their lives and those of their children.
2.3.3 Where there are concerns about significant harm to a child, Social Care have a statutory duty to make enquiries and statutory powers to intervene to safeguard the child and promote his or her welfare if necessary. Where there is compulsory intervention in family life in this way, parents should still be helped and encouraged to play as full a part as possible in decisions about their child. Children of sufficient age and understanding should be kept fully informed or processes involving them, should be consulted sensitively and decisions about their future should take account of their views.
