You may already have met the social worker and had an opportunity to talk over any problems which you and your child are facing at present. You will receive a copy of the reports, which will arrive before the hearing, and a copy of a statement of the reasons for the meeting. It is to consider any difficulties which you child may be having and whether any of the measures which the hearing can arrange, would be helpful. The forms sent to you with this leaflet give the place and time of the hearing, and will make it clear who is required to go to the hearing. A relevant person is someone who has responsibility for the child, like a parent or carer.
Children have an absolute right to attend at all stages of their hearing.
Normally both parents and the child are required to be there but in some cases the hearing may make a decision to proceed in someone's absence. It is very important that you contact the reporter immediately if there is a problem with your attendance, as there can be serious penalties for parents who fail to attend a hearing as required. You may bring someone to help you at the hearing if you wish - for example, you might like to bring a relative or friend, or another person such as a youth leader, a teacher, or someone from your church, who knows you or your child well. Each parent and child may bring a different person to help and, certain cases, the chairperson may require that the child is separately represented. You may bring a lawyer as your representative but any fees he might charge would not be covered by Legal Aid.