Queensland Consolidated Acts Queensland Consolidated Acts(1) The convenor must give the following persons a reasonable opportunity to attend and participate in the meeting--
(a) the child, unless it would be inappropriate because of the child's age or ability to understand;
(b) the child's parents;
(c) other members of the child's family group who the convenor considers likely to make a useful contribution to the plan's development at the meeting;
(d) other persons with whom the child has a significant relationship;
Example--
An approved carer may be someone with whom the child has a significant relationship.
(e) any legal representative of the child;
(f) if the child is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child--a recognised entity, or member of a recognised entity, for the child;
(g) anyone else who the convenor considers likely to make a useful contribution to the plan's development at the meeting;
(h) if the convenor is a private convenor--the chief executive.
(2) The convenor must also allow the child or a parent of the child to have someone attend and participate in the meeting to give help or support to the child or parent.
Examples--
a youth worker
an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander elder
a representative within the child's cultural community
a legal representative
(3) To remove any doubt, it is declared that a requirement to allow a person to attend or participate in the meeting under subsection (1) or (2) applies whether or not the child's parents agree to the person's attendance or participation.
(4) The convenor is not required to allow a particular person to attend or participate in the meeting under subsection (1)(b) to (d) or (2) if the convenor is satisfied that person's attendance or participation would be contrary to the purposes of the meeting or not in the child's best interests.