Member

A meeting facilitator will talk to the child about how they might best be involved in the meeting. This will depend on several factors, including their age and understanding. As has been suggested, an independent advocate may also be used to help the child to express their views. I agree with the noble Earl, Lord Effingham, that it may not always be appropriate for the child to attend the meeting—for example, where there are safeguarding or domestic violence concerns. We are clear that they should always be given the opportunity to voice their experiences in the dedicated preparation time. Where appropriate, they should attend the meeting, but making that necessary would, as I have suggested, risk circumstances in which it would not be appropriate for that to happen.