What Happens at a Child Protection Conference in BC?

A child protection conference is a formal meeting where MCFD and other professionals assess concerns and develop a care plan for your family. You have the right to attend, to participate, and to bring a support person. What is decided at this meeting shapes the path forward — being prepared is not optional, it is essential.

Child protection conferences can feel overwhelming. There are multiple professionals in the room, documents have been circulated that you may not have seen, and decisions with major consequences are being discussed.

Understanding the structure before you arrive changes how effectively you can participate.

What the conference is for

A child protection conference is used to:

• Share information about the concerns MCFD has identified
• Assess the level of risk to the child
• Develop a care plan or safety plan for the family
• Assign responsibilities to specific people or agencies

It is not a court proceeding. There is no judge. But what is agreed to in a conference often forms the basis of formal commitments that follow.

Who will be in the room

Typically present at a child protection conference:

• The MCFD worker and their supervisor
• Possibly other professionals (school, health, counselling)
• Possibly a family support worker
• You, the parent — and whoever you bring

You can bring your lawyer, an Elder, a family member, or a cultural support person. Having someone with you who understands the process, or who can support you emotionally, is strongly recommended.

How to prepare

Request all documents before the meeting. Ask your MCFD worker what documents will be circulated at the conference and request copies in advance. Arriving without having read the documentation puts you at a disadvantage.

Write your questions in advance. What do you want to know? What do you disagree with? What support do you need? Having these written means you will not forget them in the room.

Bring your own written statement if you want your perspective documented. You can ask for your written statement to be included in the record of the conference.

Ask about cultural support. Under Bill C-92, your cultural rights and your child’s cultural continuity are part of the legal framework governing decisions about your family. If these are not being discussed at the conference, raise them.

After the conference

Ask for written documentation of what was decided, who is responsible for what, and what the next steps are. If you disagree with what was decided, tell your lawyer immediately.

KFT peer support is available for parents navigating this process. Contact us at [email protected] or visit keeping-families-together.com.

If you are an Indigenous family navigating child welfare in BC and need peer support, contact KFT-Families Society at [email protected], call Lori at 604-512-3266, or visit keeping-families-together.com. IFISC operates weekly peer support circles, connects families with culturally grounded resources, and provides guidance to parents at every stage of the child welfare process — at no cost.