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Practical worksheet

Preparing for children’s-services meetings

A calm way to organise what you understand, what you need to ask and what happens next. Designed for parents, grandparents and kinship family members in England.

Print it, write on it, or save a blank copy for later.

Why prepare?

Meetings are harder when everything matters at once.

Preparation is not about rehearsing the “right” answer.It helps you listen, respond honestly and make sure important questions are not lost when the meeting feels stressful.

Understanding and accountability can sit together.You can take concerns seriously, accept mistakes and still ask for evidence, clarity, support or correction of factual errors.

Keep the child at the centre.Your strongest contribution is clear information about the child’s needs, safety and the practical changes that will improve their day-to-day life.

Branches of Safety

Meeting preparation worksheet

General information for England · Not legal advice

01

Basic details

02

Before the meeting

  • Ask what type of meeting it is, its purpose and what decisions may be made.
  • Ask for the agenda, reports or important information early enough to read them.
  • Ask who will attend and who will chair or lead the meeting.
  • Check whether you may bring a supporter, advocate or trusted person.
  • Explain any communication or access needs and request reasonable adjustments in advance.
  • Write down the points you most need to understand; do not rely on remembering them under pressure.
03

The child at the centre

04

Understand the concerns clearly

Disagreeing with a factual point is different from dismissing the underlying concern. Be specific and use documents, dates or examples where possible.

05

Change, safety and support

06

Questions I need answered

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
Useful prompts

What exactly are you worried may happen? · What change do you need to see? · How will progress be measured? · What support is being offered? · When will this be reviewed? · How will my view be recorded?

07

Communication and reasonable adjustments

If a disability, neurodivergence, mental-health condition, language need or other difficulty affects how you take part, explain what would help. Ask early and be practical.

  • Plain-English explanations and fewer acronyms
  • Written questions, concerns or decisions in advance
  • Extra time to read, process information and respond
  • Short breaks during a long or emotionally difficult meeting
  • A quieter room, remote attendance or another accessible format
  • Permission for a trusted person or advocate to help you understand and take notes
08

During the meeting

  • Keep returning to the child: what are they experiencing, what do they need and what will make them safer?
  • Ask for unfamiliar terms or acronyms to be explained. It is not a vocabulary exam.
  • If a concern is broad, ask for a clear example and what change professionals need to see.
  • Separate what you accept, what you do not yet understand and what you believe is factually wrong.
  • You can acknowledge a concern without agreeing that every detail or conclusion is accurate.
  • Before the meeting ends, check the actions, responsible person, deadline and review date.
09

Agreed actions

What needs to happen?Who will do it?By when?How will progress be shown?
10

After the meeting

  • Ask when you will receive the minutes, report or updated plan.
  • Read the record and raise important factual errors promptly, calmly and in writing.
  • Put dates in your calendar and keep evidence of actions you complete.
  • If an action is unclear or support has not arrived, ask rather than quietly missing the deadline.
  • If pre-proceedings, court action or possible removal is mentioned, contact a children-law solicitor urgently.

Why these prompts matter

Families should be helped to understand and participate.

Current safeguarding guidance says work should involve families respectfully, communicate clearly, recognise different needs and give parents or carers information and time to prepare for meetings.

Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 Illustrated guide for families Public Law Outline: Practice Direction 12A
This worksheet does not replace advice about your case.

Different meetings have different local procedures. Ask the organiser what applies. If pre-proceedings, care proceedings or possible removal is mentioned, get advice from a solicitor specialising in children law.

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