Permanency Conference?

Terminology will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction - so what you're asking about may not be what we think it is. First - where is this conference? If it's at the social services offices, what you're probably going to is what's known in my area as a Permanency Planning Action Team meeting. This is where the case worker, the guardian ad litem, the CASA if there is one, the adoption case worker, the bio parents, the lawyer for the bio parents if any, the foster parents, and other relevant parties (therapists sometimes, etc) get together to discuss the plan for permanency for the child(ren). They will review the progress the parents have made toward the plan, how the child is doing in their placement, and any concerns anyone has (that a child may need ECI evaluation, or the foster parents might request resources for therapy, etc.)The case workers alone don't decide whether to move for TPR, or keep things at RU - it's a team decision and plan - much of what might get argued in court can be discussed a bit more openly in these meetings (though the proceedings are still confidential to those who attend), and various agreements can be hashed out - perhaps a voluntary surrender in return for some sort of openness in adoption, etc. We have our 3rd such PPAT meeting on our youngest coming up next week. Here they do one within 30 days of the child coming into care, 90 days after the first, and then generally every 6 months or as needed. Baby J will be 9 months old, so we're at #3.