Amendments
March 2024
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Family and Friends Care | Section 4, Different Situations whereby Children may be Living with Family and Friend Carers has been updated to include information about Ukrainian children being cared for my family and friends in the UK. |
| Young Carers | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | Section 2, Ordinary Residence has been updated in line with case law. |
| Capacity and Consent | Amendments have been made to reflect case-law in relation to assessing legal capacity. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | Information has been added into Section 4, Care Orders and Supervisions Orders on a Care Plan of the Child Remaining at Home in relation to Supervision Orders, in line with Public Law Working Group (PLWG) Recommendations to Achieve Best Practice in the Child Protection and Family Justice Systems: Supervision Orders. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been amended to include information from Special Educational Needs and Disability: Improving Local Authority Decision Making - Report of the Administrative Justice Council’s Working Group on Special Educational Needs and Disability. Information has also been added into Section 15, Resolving Disagreements in relation to legal aid for foster carers and prospective adoptive parents in First Tier Tribunal appeals. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been updated. Information has also been added into Section 4, Assessment in relation to the National Age Assessment Board. |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | Section 5.2.5, Providing Support has been updated to reflect the Home Office increase in financial support to individuals waiting to find out if they will be given asylum in the UK. |
| Placements in Residential Care | This chapter has been updated to include information from Guidance - Placing Children: Deprivation of Liberty Orders - guidance for providers, social workers and placement commissioners on placing children, subject to a deprivation of liberty order (DoL), in unregistered settings; and President of the Family Division Practice Guidance: Placements in Unregistered Children’s Homes in England or Unregistered Care Home Services in Wales. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | Section 10, Use of Inherent Jurisdiction to Authorise a Placement Involving a Deprivation of Liberty has been updated to include information from Guidance - Placing Children: Deprivation of Liberty Orders - guidance for providers, social workers and placement commissioners on placing children, subject to a deprivation of liberty order (DoL), in unregistered settings; and President of the Family Division Practice Guidance: Placements in Unregistered Children’s Homes in England or Unregistered Care Home Services in Wales. |
| Placements in Other Arrangements | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Health and Safety | Additional information has been added about online safety. |
| Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Children Previously Looked After | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters | This chapter has been refreshed and a link added to National Early Permanence Practice Standards (Coram Centre for Early Permanence). |
| Next update: September 2024 |
September 2023
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Case Records for Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated in relation to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been updated to include information from Guidance: Area SEND Inspections Framework and Handbook (November 2022). |
| Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings | This chapter has been updated to include information from the UK Social Work Practice in Safeguarding Disabled Children and Young People report. |
| Decision to Look After | Section 3, Section 20 Accommodation has been updated in line with case-law. |
| Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | This chapter has been amended to include information from Annex to MOJ Circular 2022/03: Additional Information on Remand to Local Authority Accommodation (RLAA). |
| Health and Safety | Information has been added into Section 6, Diet, Nutrition and Allergies, in relation to allergies. |
| Health Assessments and Plans | Information has been added into Section 5, Health Plans in relation to allergies. |
| Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After Child | This chapter has been amended to reflect that the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 raised the age of marriage and civil partnership to 18 in England and Wales, with effect from 26 February 2023. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been amended to note that with effect from 1 April 2023, the leaving care allowance increased from £2,000 to £3,000. It has also been updated to include information from the revised Ofsted Inspection Framework. |
| Children Involved in the Youth Justice System Additional National Guidance | Links have been added to A Guide to Child First - Youth Justice Board and Matters of Concern, Safeguarding Concerns, Allegations and Complaints for Children in Custody. |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education. New Section 2, The Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern has been added. |
| Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already Adopted | This chapter has been amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education. New Section 2, The Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern has been added. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Long Stay Hospital Admissions | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Ofsted Inspection Framework | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
March 2023
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | This chapter has been amended to refer to Guidance issued by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman and the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. A link has been added to Self-harm: Assessment, Management and Preventing Recurrence NICE Guidance in the Further Information Section. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | Court Hearings has been updated in line with A View From the President’s Chambers: Relaunching the PLO (November 2022), and that section should be re-read. In Relevant Guidance, a link has been added to Pre-proceedings and Family Justice Hub (Research in Practice). |
| Legal Gateway/Planning Meetings | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
| Complaints and Representations | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
| Decision to Look After | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
| Care Planning | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
| Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | This chapter has been amended in line with the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. |
| Placements Outside England and Wales | Placements in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Guernsey has been updated in line with the Cross-border Placements (Effect of Deprivation of Liberty Orders) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 and Cross-Border Placements (Effect of Deprivation of Liberty Orders) (Scotland) Regulations 2022: Practice Guidance, Notice and Undertaking Template. |
| Ceasing to Look After a Child | This chapter has been updated to add a note regarding transferring a child's belongings in appropriate luggage and includes a link to a link to NYAS, My Things Matter Report (see Section 5, Administration/Process Issues). |
| Family Time with Parents/Adults and Siblings | Section 3, Supervised Family Time has been updated to reflect a finding by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman that the supervisor's observations of the Family Time must be clearly recorded in the child's record and shared with the parents within 3 months of the visit. |
| Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management | This chapter has been updated. |
| Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint | This chapter has been updated. |
| Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services | Section 2, Looked After Children who are Arrested has been updated in relation to appropriate adults. |
| Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters | This chapter has been updated. |
| Adoption Panel | This chapter has been updated. |
| Placement for Adoption | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Adoption Support | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Disruption of Adoptive Placements | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Equality and Diversity | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Risk Assessment and Planning | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Providing Personalised Care | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Health and Safety | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Leisure Activities | This chapter has been added. |
| Training and Development of Foster Carers | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
January 2023
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This chapter has been updated. |
September 2022
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | Section 2, Ordinary Residence has been updated in line with case-law. |
| Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations | Part 1 of this chapter has been updated in line with case-law. |
| Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff | This chapter has been given a general refresh. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | Section 15, Resolving Disagreements has been updated in line with the First Tier Tribunal’s extended powers to hear appeals and make non-binding recommendations about health and social care aspects of Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans, provided those appeals also include education elements. |
| Placements in Foster Care | This chapter has been amended to add a link to the NYAS ‘My Things Matter’ Report – support and respect care-experienced children and their belongings when they move. (See Section 4, Placement Planning). |
| Placements in Residential Care | This chapter has been amended to note that, from September 2021, looked after children under 16 years of age cannot be accommodated in unregulated independent or semi-independent placements. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | Section 10, Use of Inherent Jurisdiction to Authorise a Placement Involving a Deprivation of Liberty has been updated in line with case-law. |
| Ceasing to Look After a Child | This chapter has been updated to add a note regarding transferring a child’s belongings in appropriate luggage and includes a link to a link to NYAS, My Things Matter Report. (See Section 5, Administration / Process Issues). |
| Education of Children with a Social Worker, Children Looked After and Children Previously Looked After | This chapter has been updated to reflect Keeping Children Safe in Education (2021). Schools should have policies and processes in place to ensure all concerns about all adults working in or on behalf of the school or college (including supply teachers, volunteers and contractors) are dealt with promptly and appropriately. See Section 8.3, Protecting Children with a Social Worker, Looked After Children and Previously Looked After Children from Adults Who May Pose a Risk to Them and/or Other Children in the School. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been updated to add a link to the NYAS ‘My Things Matter’ Report – support and respect care-experienced children and their belongings when they move. (See Scope Box) |
| Fostering Panel | This chapter has been updated. |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People | A link to this guideline has been added to the manual. |
| Youth Offending Additional National Guidance | This procedure was added to the manual and provides additional national guidance. |
March 2022
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Capacity and Consent | Two new section's have been added, Section, 4.3 Consent to the Use of Medication to Suppress Puberty in relation to consent in the context of the use of medication to suppress puberty in line with case-law and Section 5.4, Consent to Life-ending Withdrawal of Medical Support to reflect High Court judgments. Section 2.1, Consent to Information have been updated to reflect revisions contained in the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated. The link has been updated to the SWET (updated April 2021). Section 2, Pre-Proceedings has been updated to include information in relation to pre-birth assessments and planning where the mother has learning disabilities. It has also been updated to reflect Practice Guidance on Special Guardianship (Family Justice Council, June 2020). See in particular Section 9, Expectations of the Local Authority by the Court. |
| Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations | Information has been added on recording by employees in a professional capacity. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been refreshed and updated and includes links to related reports from the House of Commons Library. (See Section 16, Further Information and Statutory Guidance). |
| Short Breaks | Information has been added in to Section 8, Short Break Settings, in relation to the prohibition on looked after children under the age of 16 being placed in 'other arrangements' placements for the purposes of a short break. |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read. |
| Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | Information has been added in to Section 3, Local Authority Accommodation, in relation to children under the age of 16 being placed in 'other arrangements' placements. |
| Out of Area Placements | Section 6, Placements in Wales has been updated in line with updated Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. |
| Placements with Parents | Section 1, Planned Placements has been updated to add information on placements in 'other arrangements.' |
| Placements Outside England and Wales | Section 3, Placements in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Guernsey has been updated in line with updated Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. Additional information has also been added in relation to placements in Scotland, in line with a High Court case. |
| Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers | A new Section 8.4, Consent to Life-ending Withdrawal of Medical Support has been added, to reflect a High Court judgment. |
| Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children | This chapter has been refreshed and a link added to House of Commons Library Briefing Paper: Criminal Injuries Compensation for Victims of Child Abuse. |
| Education of Children Looked After and Children Previously Looked After | This chapter has been significantly amended to reflect the 'Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted, June 2021)'; updated 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' (see Scope Box) and Sexual Harassment in Education – Briefing (House Of Parliament Library, June 2021). (See Section 8.2, Protecting looked after children from sexual harassment and child on child abuse). The chapter has also been amended to reflect Promoting the Education of Children with a Social Worker: Virtual School Head Role Extension, June 2021 |
| Leaving Care and Transition | Section 5, Pathway Planning has been updated to note that, in relevant cases, immigration status should be included as a separate section on the Pathway Plan. This will help to ensure that young people who have been granted Pre Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme apply to convert this to Settled Status at the appropriate. Pathway Plans should contain clear information about what action needs to be taken by whom and when to ensure that the young person's right to remain legally in the UK is not jeopardised. |
| Relinquished Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect case-law setting out lessons for the future in non-notification cases. |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This chapter has been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Placements in Other Arrangements | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
September 2021
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Family and Friends Care | This chapter has been revised. New Section 7, Education has been added and information added on the School Admission Code. |
| Capacity and Consent | This chapter has been updated to add information on the NICE Quality Standard: Decision-Making and Mental Capacity. |
| Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 Year Olds who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation; and Duty to Refer | This chapter has been updated in to add a link to Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leavers: good practice advice (DfE and MHCLG) to support the development of joint protocols that can help local authorities to meet the accommodation needs of care leavers. (See Section 4, Housing Protocols for Care Leavers). |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | Section 15, Resolving Disagreements has been updated to reference recent case-law holding that, as part of the mediation process, a parent/child/young person is entitled to bring along any supporter they wish, including a lawyer. |
| Placements in Residential Care | This chapter has been updated to note that, from September 2021, looked after children under 16 years of age cannot be accommodated in unregulated independent or semi-independent placements. |
| Advocacy and Independent Visitors | This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read. |
| Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect changes from the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children. In Section 6, When a Child Needs or Joins a New School, information was added on the School Admission Code. |
| Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody | This chapter has been updated to reflect the Section 2.6 Care leavers leaving custody in Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leavers: good practice advice (DfE and MHCLG) 2020. (See Section 3.9, Planning for Release). |
| Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records | This chapter has been given a general refresh throughout and information added on applying for a copy of a birth certificate online. |
| Special Guardianship Procedures | In Section 18, The Special Guardianship Support Plan, information has been added on the School Admission Code. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | This policy applies when a child or care leaver is discharged from hospital after having been detained under the Mental Health Act 1983. |
June 2021
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This chapter has been updated. |
March 2021
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | Section 6, Placements of Children under 13 years has been updated following publication of revised DfE guidance. |
| Notifications of Significant Events | This procedure has been updated to reflect the latest Ofsted guidance for social care providers on the types of incident which they consider to be serious and which will therefore require notification to the regulatory authority. |
| Holidays and School Trips in the UK | This guidance has been reviewed and updated. |
| Holidays and School Trips Outside the UK | This guidance has been reviewed and updated throughout. Section 4, Insurance Cover has been updated to include details of how to apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which provides access to reduced cost or free medical insurance in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Section 5, Obtaining a Passport has also been updated to link to reissued Home Office guidance for Local Authorities Children's Services Departments when Applying for Passports on Behalf of Children. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | A revised link has been added to Prepare for a review panel: adopters and foster carers. See Section 9, Representations / Independent Review Procedure. |
| Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers | A revised link has been added to Prepare for a review panel: adopters and foster carers. See Section 6.1, Proposal to Terminate Foster Carer's Approval. |
September 2020
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Assessments | This chapter has been updated in line with the new digital referral system for reporting potential victims of Modern Slavery. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Capacity and Consent | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Storage of Data on Mobile Devices | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
March 2020
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated to reference and note the Family Court Justice Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship, Courts and Tribunals Judiciary (May 2019) (see Section 1, Introduction). |
| Recording Policy and Guidelines | This chapter has been amended to reflect the Ofsted Twitter Blog of 24/7/19 by Yvette Stanley, Ofsted's National Director for Social Care. The Blog highlights feedback from a number of inspections and explores what good recording should look like (Ofsted: developments in children's social care – What makes an effective case record?). |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | An update has been made in Section 1, Principles to draw attention to OFSTED's advice that Local Authorities should exercise due diligence in ensuring schools for pupils with SEN are registered with the DFE. The same diligence should be exercised on behalf of pupils with SEN. |
| Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews | The requirement for clear separation of reviews (for clarifying whether the criteria for keeping a child in secure accommodation are met, and the child's looked after review) has been emphasised. Clarifying whether the criteria for keeping a child in secure accommodation are met must come before a LAC review so the decision can inform the LAC review and they must be chaired by different individuals. |
| Notifications of Significant Events | This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read. |
| Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect Keeping Children Safe in Education 2019 which replaces the 2018 version. Section 8, Safeguarding the Looked After Child at School has been amended to include reference to Upskirting (which is now a criminal offence) and serious violence. In Section 1.3, Role of the Local Authority, Virtual School Head (VSH), and School, OFSTED's advice that Local Authorities should exercise due diligence in ensuring schools for LAC pupils are registered with the DFE has been added. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 9, Representations / Independent Review Procedure. |
| Supervision and Support of Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated to reflect in more detail the foster carer's role and responsibilities with respect to Fostering National Minimum Standards – Notification of Significant Events (see Section 1, Introduction) and relevant aspects of Schedule 6 The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 (see Section 2, Planned Supervision Visits). |
| Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers | A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 6, Representations/Review Procedure. |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been reviewed and refreshed, and terminology has been updated where required. |
| Placement for Adoption | This chapter has been amended to reflect the national changes in adoption registration and matching (see Section 7.13, Inter Agency Placements and Section 11, Children Approved for Adoption for Whom no Placement has been Identified). |
| Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records | A link has been added to Attending and IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 3.2, Adoption Orders made on or after 30 December 2005. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings | This chapter reflects statutory guidance in relation to children who are placed by health authorities or local authorities for more than 3 months in residential establishments for educational purposes and children placed in care homes or independent hospitals (including hospices) by health authorities or local authorities (Sections 85 and 86 of the Children Act 1989). |
| Removed Chapters | |
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January 2020
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Recording Policy and Guidelines | This chapter has been further amended to reflect the Ofsted Twitter Blog of 24/7/19 by Yvette Stanley, Ofsted's National Director for Social Care. The Blog highlights feedback from a number of inspections and explores what good recording should look like. (Ofsted: developments in children's social care – What makes an effective case record?). |
September 2019
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children's Consultation and Participation | The Related Guidance section has been updated to add supporting resources with regard to children's consultation and participation. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been amended to reflect changes from 'Practice Direction 27a - Family Proceedings: Court Bundles (Universal Practice to be Applied in the High Court and Family Court)', in relation to the required maximum length of certain court documents, (unless otherwise specifically directed by the court). In addition, a new subsection of Section 4.1, Local Authority Documentation - 'Final Care Plan' provides further detail on the importance of recording information on the Care Plan which will help the child, parent or the child's carer understand why decisions have been or are being made. It has also been amended to reflect HHJ Greensmith's comments regarding M and N (Children: Local authority gathering, preserving and disclosing evidence) [2018] EWFC 40 (1 June 2018)). (See Section 9, Good Local Authority Practice During Proceedings). |
| Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child In Need) | This chapter has been updated to reflect Working Together to Safeguard Children and the process for reporting a serious incident to the Panel via the Child Safeguarding Incident Notification System. |
| Recording Policy and Guidelines | This chapter has been amended to reflect HHJ Greensmith's comments regarding M and N (Children: Local authority gathering, preserving and disclosing evidence) [2018] EWFC 40 (1 June 2018). |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | This chapter has been amended to reflect Section 3 of the Care Planning and Care Leavers (Amendment) Regulations 2014. The Care Plan must identify whether there is reason to believe the child has been trafficked or is an unaccompanied asylum seeker (see Section 2.1, The Care Plan - Contents). |
| Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | This chapter has been updated in relation to placing young people in custody, see Section 2.3, How to Request a Transfer or Placement Review. |
| Placements with Parents | This chapter has been updated to note that this procedure does not apply to children subject to Interim Care Orders where the placement is required by the court under Section 38(6) Children Act 1989 for the purposes of assessment. |
| Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children | This chapter has been amended to include a link to the Leaving Care and Transition Procedure in relation to Personal Adviser visits to 'Relevant' or 'Former Relevant' young people. |
| Education of Looked After Children | This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read. |
| Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services | This chapter has been updated in relation to placing young people in custody, see Section 7.7, How to Request a Transfer or Placement Review. |
| Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody | This chapter has been updated in relation to placing young people in custody, see Section 3.8, How to Request a Transfer or Placement Review. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | This procedure has been updated to reflect the Criminal Records Checks for Overseas Applicants insofar that the Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers chapter has been amended and corrected with information on the application process for criminal record checks for someone from overseas. |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This chapter has been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 Year Olds who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation; and Duty to Refer | This procedure has been added to the manual. |
March 2019
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Joint Procedure for the Assessment of Housing and Support Needs of Homeless 16 and 17 Year Olds | This chapter has been updated. Links have been added to 'Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of accommodation for 16 and 17 year old young people who may be homeless and/or require accommodation' and 'Homelessness - Duty to Refer'. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance which require schools, through the designated teacher to provide support to previously Looked After Children. A previously Looked After Child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because they are the subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales. |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | Additional information has been added in to Section 1.3, Section 20 Accommodation, in line with recent case-law. |
| Permanence Planning Guidance | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance. These changes relate to the status of 'previously looked after children'. A previously Looked After Child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because they are the subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales. Children subject to a Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order are entitled to support from their school, through the designated teacher. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | This chapter has been updated to fully reflect the updated guidance 'Secure children's homes: how to place a child aged under 13 (July 2018)'. (See Section 6, Placements of Children under the age of 13 Years). |
| Ceasing to Look After a Child | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance. These changes relate to the status of 'previously Looked After Children'. A previously Looked After Child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because they are the subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales. Previously Looked After Children are entitled to support from their school through the Designated Teacher (see Section 2.5, Children Who Move into Permanency). |
| Looked After Reviews | Section 9, The Role of the Looked After Review in Achieving Permanence for the Child has been amended to reflect the outcome of a High Court Judgement in respect of children who were subject to Section 20 and where there were concerns of significant delays in their planning for permanence. The court noted the IROs' recognition and action over a number of reviews but acknowledged that a more robust response had been needed. |
| Education of Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect amendments made by the Children and Social Work Act 2017. These changes relate to the status of 'previously looked after children' i.e. a previously looked-after child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because s/he is the subject of an adoption, special guardianship or child arrangements order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales. The chapter includes a new Section 16, Mental Health and a new Section 8, Safeguarding the Looked After Child at School. A link has also been added to the National Curriculum Assessments at Key Stage 2. In addition the chapter reflects the statutory guidance Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) 2018, as it relates to Looked After Children and guidance regarding Data protection and safeguarding as set out in Data protection: a toolkit for schools (Open Beta: Version1.0) (August 2018). |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
| Relinquished Children | Section 5, Consent and Competency has been updated to include additional information on parental capacity to consent, in line with High Court case-law. |
| Adoption Support | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance which require schools, through the Designated Teacher for Looked After Children, to offer support to previously looked after children A previously looked-after child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales). |
| Adoption Reviews | Section 5, The Conduct of Adoption Reviews (bullet point 1.f) has been amended to reflect the status of adopted children as being 'previously looked after' when considering their educational needs. A link to DfE guidance on Promoting the Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After children has also been added. |
| Life Story Books Guidance | This chapter has been reviewed. |
| Later Life Letters | This chapter has been reviewed. |
September 2018
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles | A new Section 2, Corporate Parenting has been added in response to the DfE, Applying Corporate Parenting Principles to Looked-after Children and Care Leavers – Statutory Guidance (Feb 2018). It includes the seven corporate parenting principles set out in the guidance. |
| Confidentiality Policy | The chapter has been reviewed following the introduction of the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Family and Friends Care | This chapter has been reviewed and updated. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated to provide some emphasis on parents who lack capacity and added links to the President of the Family Division, Family Proceedings: Parents with a Learning Disability note, and a relevant link to working with parents who have a learning disability (see Section 2.1, Principles) and Practice Direction 3aa - Vulnerable Persons: Participation in Proceedings and Giving Evidence) see case management in Section 4, Documentation. |
| Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child In Need) | This chapter has been amended. From 29 June 2018 local authorities in England must notify the national Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel within 5 working days of becoming aware of a serious incident. |
| Recording Policy and Guidelines | The chapter has been reviewed following the introduction of the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Case Records for Looked After Children | Section 1, The Case Record has been updated in line with Adoption and Care Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018, which permits the transfer of a copy of the child's case record (or part of that record) to another adoption agency when the local authority considers this to be in the interests of the child. |
| Access to Records | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read. |
| Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations | This guidance has been reviewed following the introduction of the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Child in Need Plans and Reviews | This chapter has been updated, a new Section 4, Children in Need Moving to Another Authority - Principles. Information and Communication is important between the respective local authorities to ensure appropriate services continue for the child and family and, where relevant, any risk of harm is recognised and identified with the receiving local authority. It should be noted that the responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child lies with the local authority where the child is to be found. |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | A note has been added to say that authorisation for some placements for looked after children must be at Assistant Director level or above. The circumstances in which this applies are:
|
| Placements with Parents | This chapter has been updated to reflect that the DBS has no eligibility for a standard or enhanced check for birth parents or other adults living in the household. However, the Local Authority has a requirement under the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England Regulations) 2010 to obtain information about unspent convictions and cautions before placing a child back with parents. (See Section 1.2, Assessment and Checks Before Placement). |
| Contact with Parents/Adults and Siblings | Section 2, Different Types of Contact has been updated to take account of the use of mobile communication with regards to contact. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been updated to add clarification in relation to Qualifying Young People. See Definitions. It has also been updated to reflect the changes in the Children and Social Work Act 2017. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | In Section 8, After the Panel Recommendation has been updated to clarify the decision as to the suitability of the applicant must be made within 7 working days of receipt of the panel's recommendation and final set of panel minutes – The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 4: Fostering Services and Standard 14 (14.9) Fostering panels and the fostering service's decision-maker. |
| Adoption and Permanence Panel | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Inter Country Adoption | Section 8, Home Study has been updated to include a link to GOV.UK Benefits. |
| Adoption Case Records | Section 3, Security and Retention of Records has been updated in line with Adoption and Care Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018, which provides that an adoption agency may disclose an adoption case record to another adoption agency for purposes related to either agency's functions as an adoption agency. Further information has been added in relation to adoption records where an Adoption Order is not made. |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This has been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Statutory Guidance of Accommodation to Homeless 16 and 17 Year Olds (GOV.UK) | This GOV.UK guidance has been updated 30th April to reflect changes in homelessness and children's legislation. |
March 2018
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | Section 4.2, Case Analysis has been updated to reflect the 'permanence provisions' of the Care Plan added by Section 8 Children and Social Work Act 2017 (amending Section 31(3B) Children Act 1989) which a court is required to consider when deciding whether to make a Care Order. |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | A link to Securing British Citizenship for Looked After Children (NRPF Network) has been added to this chapter. |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | Section 2.1.1, The Care Plan – Contents has been amended to reflect the additional 'permanence provisions' of the Care Plan (Section 8 Children and Social Work Act 2017 amends Section 31(3B) Children Act 1989) which a court is required to consider when deciding whether to make a Care Order. |
| Permanence Planning Guidance | Section 5, Assessing and Planning for Permanence has been updated to reflect the additional 'permanence provisions' of the Care Plan (under Section 8 Children and Social Work Act 2017 amends Section 31(3B) Children Act 1989) which a court is required to consider when deciding whether to make a Care Order. |
| Looked After Reviews | This chapter has been amended to fully reflect the Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review with respect to the circumstances as to when a Looked After Review should be brought forward. The list is not exhaustive (see Section 2, Frequency of Looked After Reviews). |
| Change of Name of a Looked After Child | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Placement for Adoption | This chapter has been amended to emphasise 'procedural fairness' as a key aspect of the adoption planning process in respect of ensuring parents are provided with information throughout, including the dates of placement/proposed changes of a child's Status, etc. This follows the outcome of a judicial review ([2017] EWHC 1041 (Admin)). (See new Section 4.2, Procedural Fairness). In Section 1, Planning for Permanence has been updated to reflect the additional consideration (added by Section 9 Children and Social Work Act 2017 amends Section 1(4)(f) of the Adoption and Children Act 2002) into the list of considerations that with any person who is a prospective adopter with whom the child is placed and with any other person in relation to whom the court or agency considers the relationship to be relevant. |
| Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters | Section 4.1, Duty to Consider Fostering for Adoption Placement has been updated to reflect the additional consideration (added by Section 9 Children and Social Work Act 2017 into the list of considerations whenever a court or adoption agency is coming to a decision relating to the adoption of a child), of the relationship which the child has with relatives, with any person who is a prospective adopter with whom the child is placed and with any other person in relation to whom the court or agency considers the relationship to be relevant. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Deprivations of Liberty | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Mental Capacity | A link to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 has been added to the manual. |
| Revision to Social Work Procedures | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
September 2017
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Young Carers | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child In Need) | This chapter has been updated in line with the requirement to notify Ofsted of any serious childcare incident using the Ofsted Online, Notification of serious childcare incident. |
| Case Records for Looked After Children | This chapter has been reviewed to note the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse requires all institutions to retain their records relating to the care of children for the duration of the Inquiry (see Section 2, Retention and Confidentiality of Records.) |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a court judgement on Ordinary Residence that has been included in DoH, Care and support statutory guidance (December 2016). (See Section 12, Funding Issues - Ordinary Residence). A link has been added into Section 16, Further Information and Statutory Guidance to give guidance on SEND: 19- to 25-year-olds' entitlement to EHC plans (DfE 2017). |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | This chapter has been amended to reflect the outcome of an Appeal Court hearing (2017) with respect to 'consent'. The court recognised that the term 'consent' itself has been not used in Section 20. However, it described previous court observations as 'good practice guidance', emphasising its judgment should not alter the content or effect of these. (See Section 1.4, Obtaining Parental Consent'.) |
| Placements with Connected Persons | A link has been added in Related Guidance to Initial Family and Friends Care Assessment: A good practice guide (FRG). A good practice guide on initial family and friends care assessments has been launched by Family Rights Group. The guide is a response to the lack of any minimum standards as to how such assessments, commonly called viability assessments, are conducted. In Section 3, Approval of Immediate Placements of Looked After Children with Connected Persons has been updated to include matters that should be considered when placing a child with a Connected Person should include an initial risk assessment of any pets, together with the environment in which the pet is kept. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Placements with Parents | Section 1.2, Assessment and Checks before Placement has been updated to include consideration should be given as to whether the home environment is safe for the child including where relevant, the need for a risk assessment of any pets and the environment in which they are kept. |
| Advocacy and Independent Visitors | This chapter has been updated to add a link to the Children's Society 'Advocacy services for children and young people – a guide for commissioners'. This guide outlines the legislative requirements of local authorities in the provision of advocacy support to children in need and looked after children. |
| Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing Officers | This chapter has been updated in relation to the role of the Independent Reviewing Officer in line with the Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. In particular, the IRO being sensitive to the close and active involvement of parents of a child looked after in a series of Short Breaks and problem-solving where there might be difficulties or issues. |
| Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays) | This chapter has been updated and should be read throughout. |
| Supervision and Support of Foster Carers | Section 5, Support Provided by the Supervising Social Worker (During Placement) has been updated to reflect that the Safer Caring Plan, any changes in household circumstances along with any health and safety issues including the addition of any new pets and the environment in which they are kept should be reviewed as required. |
| Placement for Adoption | In related guidance a link has been added to Contact After Adoption - Support materials for practitioners working on making positive post-adoption contact plans and supporting birth relatives and adopters through contact planning for their child. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children's Consultation and Participation | Working Together to Safeguard Children states clearly that one of the key principles underpinning safeguarding should be: ''a child-centred approach: for services to be effective they should be based on a clear understanding of the needs and views of children.'' |
| Junior Individual Saving Accounts for Looked-After Children | This is statutory guidance for local authorities. Children who have been in local authority care for 12 months or more and who are not eligible for a Child Trust Fund are entitled to a £200 payment from the government into a Junior ISA. |
March 2017
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Family and Friends Care | A link has been added to FRG's Initial Family and Friends Care Assessment: A good practice guide which outlines what a viability assessment for family and friend carers should look like, what social workers should consider and how to undertake international assessments. |
| Young Carers | Links have been added to the Carers Trust resources page which has information on working with young carers including assessment tools. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | Links have been added to DfE/DoH Send Resources page which contains a range of resources to support the work on special educational needs and disability (SEND) and to the Carers Trust resources page which has information on working with young carers including assessment tools. |
| Short Breaks | A link has been added to Friendship For All (The Children's Society) freely available tools, guidance and training ideas for supporting young people in Foster Care and in Short Breaks Service to develop their friendships. The Short Breaks Statement for Solihull has been revised. |
| Health Needs of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children | Links have been added in Further Information to British Medical Association Consent Toolkit and Practice Guidance: Supporting Young People with HIV Testing and Prevention. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | This chapter has been amended to acknowledge the President of the High Court's judgement regarding applications in English courts for Secure Accommodation placements in Scotland. (See Section 4.1, Placement Request, Identification and Approval). |
| Looked After Reviews | This chapter has been amended to note The Law Society guidance 'Attendance of solicitors at local authority Children Act Meetings' and their Code of Conduct where the child or family who attend reviews are supported by a legal representative. (See Section 8, Independent Reviewing Officer's Responsibilities). |
| Health Assessments and Plans | In Section 9, Further Information, links have been added to Children's Attachment: Attachment in Children and Young People who are Adopted from Care, in Care or at High Risk of Going into Care, NICE Guidelines (NG26) which covers the identification, assessment and treatment of attachment difficulties in children and young people up to age 18 who are adopted from care, in special guardianship, looked after by local authorities in foster homes (including kinship foster care), residential settings and other accommodation, or on the edge of care. Links have also been added to British Medical Association Consent Toolkit and Practice Guidance: Supporting Young People with HIV Testing and Prevention. |
| Inter Country Adoption | A link has been added to the Adoption Support Fund. In Section 12, After Approval, the Dfe has issued Intercountry Adoption Forms: checklist for adoption. Checklist detailing the paperwork adoption agencies must include in intercountry adoption applications they submit to DfE. In Section 4, Formal Approval, a link has been added to Intercountry adoption: means test form which contains information on how to apply for a fee reduction for people who wish to adopt a child from overseas and who earn £45,000 per year or less. |
| Special Guardianship Procedures | The chapter has been updated. The DfE has updated the Special Guardianship Guidance to include details of the Adoptions Support Fund as the Fund now covers therapeutic support for children, living in England, who were previously in care immediately before the making of a Special Guardianship Order. |
| Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters | Sections 5 to 10 have been added to this chapter covering, Section 5, Identifying Adopters to Deliver Fostering for Adoption (FFA), Section 6, The FFA / Concurrency approval process, Section 7, Process for placing a child in a Fostering for Adoption (FFA)/Concurrency arrangement, Section 8, Placement under a fostering for adoption arrangement, Section 9, Care Planning Thereafter and Section 10,Adoption Support. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Relinquished Children | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Removed Chapters | |
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|
September 2016
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Assessments | In Section 1, Social Work Assessment, practitioners are reminded to consider any factors that may indicate that the child is or has been trafficked or a victim of compulsory labour, servitude and slavery. |
| Pre-Birth Assessments | If the outcome of the pre-birth assessment may lead to a decision to go to Legal Planning then you should see the section Pre-Birth Planning and Proceedings in the Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline chapter for guidance on how to proceed. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a judgment following an application to remove a child at birth. The judge highlighted what were thought to be 'good practice steps' to issuing care proceedings in respect of the removal of a child at birth. (See Section 3.1, Pre-birth Planning and Proceedings). Links have been updated to the revised Social Work Evidence Template (SWET). |
| Legal Planning Meetings | In this chapter practitioners are reminded that where children are already Section 20 accommodated there should be no delay in issuing proceedings where this is required, (See Section 20 Accommodation in 'Decision to Look After and Care Planning'). The chapter has also been updated to reflect the outcome of a judgment following an application to remove a child at birth. The judge set out what were thought to be 'basic and good practice steps'. (See Section 2, Considerations). |
| Social Work Chronologies: Guidance | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | A link has been added to Children and Young People's Continuing Care National Framework. The guidance sets out the process for assessing, deciding and agreeing continuing care for children with complex health needs. |
| Direct Payments | The Care and Support Statutory Guidance DoH, has been updated. |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | A link has been added to the ADCS/Cafcass Practice Guidance for the Use of Section 20. |
| Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | This chapter has been updated. |
| Education of Looked After Children | A link has been added to Mental health and behaviour in schools: departmental advice, which provides guidance on how to identify and support pupils whose behaviour suggests they may have unmet mental health needs. |
| Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services | This chapter has been updated. |
| Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody | This chapter has been re-written and should be re-read. |
| Adoption Support | This chapter has been updated. |
| Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters | In Section 4.2, Considering Adoption for a Child - a paragraph has been added that if, at any point during the planning of a Fostering for Adoption placement or if the child is already in such a placement, there is any change to the circumstances of prospective carers, including relatives, a planning meeting with the Fostering for Adoption carers and all professionals involved should take place to consider the new information at the earliest opportunity, so that the carers can make an informed choice about their position. Similarly, this also allows the local authority to consider their position in light of the change in circumstances. |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This chapter has been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Whistleblowing | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
April 2016
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Recording Policy and Guidelines | This chapter has been updated with added details on keeping and maintain records. |
| Access to Records | Section 7, Applications by Parent has been updated. |
| Short Breaks | Section 8, Short Break Settings, revised links to new Quality Standards for Children's Homes and Care Quality Commission (CQC). |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | Additional guidance has been added into Section 1 on Obtaining Parental Consent to Look After a Child to reflect a number of recent court judgements on the use of Section 20 and the importance of how parental consent is obtained. |
| Contact with Parents/Adults and Siblings | This chapter has been substantially updated and should be read in its entirety. |
| Adoption and Permanence Panel | Section 2, Adoption Panel Membership the Central List must be maintained by an appointed senior social worker with at least 5 years' relevant post-qualification experience and relevant management experience. |
| Placement for Adoption | Section 2, Obtaining Agency Approval to Adoption Plan has been refreshed. Attention should be to Section 2.13 on the Child's Permanence Report which should be re-read. |
| Adoption Support | In Section 9.7, Financial Support - a note has been added that Remuneration for former foster parents. Where the adopter previously fostered the child they are adopting, and they received remuneration in the financial support paid to them as the child's foster parent, the local authority may continue to pay remuneration for a transitional period of two years from the date of the adoption order. This can continue for longer than two years if the local authority considers the case to be exceptional. The decision to include remuneration must have been taken before the making of the adoption order. |
| Special Guardianship Procedures | This chapter has been updated in line with The Special Guardianship (Amendment) Regulations 2016. These regulations have been revised to amend the Schedule to the Special Guardianship Regulations (2005) (the 2005 Regulations) which prescribes the matters to be dealt with by local authorities in reports they prepare for the court in applications for special guardianship orders. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Young Carers | The Local Authority is expected to take 'reasonable steps' to identify which children in their area are young carers, and if they have the need for support. The Local Authority must carry out an assessment if it appears that the young carer has the need for support. |
| Long Term Fostering | Long term foster care should be considered where the required outcome is for the child to have a placement with the foster carer throughout their life and where there is no likelihood of a return to their birth family. |
| Ceasing to Look After a Child | The Local Authority has a duty to ensure that when children have been Accommodated under Section 20 (Children Act 1989) and are discharged from, or leave care, that the discharge is in their best interests and that they will be safeguarded and their welfare will be promoted. |
| Children Missing from Home or Care | The case recording process including guidance and flowcharts for when a child or young person is Missing from Care or Missing from Home can be found in the Health and Wellbeing section in the Documents Library. For the full case management procedures refer to the Solihull LSCP Children who have gone Missing from Home or Care Policy, Procedures and Guidance Notes. |
August 2015
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | A link has been added to Practice Direction 25b – The Duties of an Expert, the Expert's Report and Arrangements for an Expert to Attend Court. |
| Recording Policy and Guidelines | A link has been added to Information sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers (March 2015). |
| Child in Need Plans and Reviews | This chapter has been updated with details on the link between Child In Need Plans and Education Health and Care Plans. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been updated in line with the Care Act 2014 which introduced changes to adult care and support. This also includes transitions for young disabled people into adulthood, and support to carers including young carers. |
| Direct Payments | In Section 4, What is the Process? further details have been added on the process. |
| Short Breaks | A new Section 1, What are Short Breaks has been added as well as further information on the assessment process in Section 4, Levels of Assessment. |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | This chapter has been updated with details of the Independent Returns Panel. |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | This chapter has been updated in Section 1, Decision to Look After Child on placing siblings. |
| Permanence Planning Guidance | This chapter has been updated to reflect The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. |
| Placement Planning and Disruption Meetings | Section 1, Placement Planning Meetings has been updated, details of the Placement Planning Meetings have been revised. |
| Placements in Foster Care | This chapter has been updated to reflect The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. A new Section 9, Long-Term Foster Placements has been added. |
| Out of Area Placements | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read. The authority for DCS approval for Placements at a Distance has been delegated to Heads of Service. Use the template for getting approval. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | The link to the DfE guidance on placing children under 13 in secure accommodation has been updated. |
| Placements with Parents | This chapter has been updated to include the following information: Minutes of the Looked After Review which recommended the child's placement can be taken as a written record of the consultation with those in attendance. A 'Working Agreement' should be completed by the practitioner with the parents to clarify the expectations of the parent(s) and ensure the child is safeguarded and their needs are met during this temporary phase before the Statutory Review. |
| Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect the revised visiting requirements in respect of long term foster placements as set out in The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. |
| Looked After Reviews | This chapter has been updated to reflect The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. |
| Contact with Parents and Siblings | This chapter has been amended in line with the The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review in Section 1, Approving and Planning Contact on considering the child's needs in contact. |
| Holidays and School Trips in the UK | This chapter has been updated to include information in regard to Delegated Authority, see Section 1, Holidays in the UK and with details of when finance may be available for holidays. |
| Holidays and School Trips Outside the UK | This chapter has been updated with details of when finance may be available for holidays. |
| Health Assessments and Plans | This chapter has been updated in line with revised Statutory Guidance on Promoting the Health and Well-being of Looked After Children. |
| Control, Discipline and Restrictive Physical Interventions | This chapter has been updated with references to the Safe Care Policy and the importance of Supervision visits and contacts with carers' covering support need in relation to managing challenging behaviour. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been updated in regard to a local authority should have a flexible approach to supporting young people aged 16 and 17 yrs back in to care if a young person's decision to move into semi-independent accommodation, leave care or decline leaving care services is then identified as premature. |
| Staying Put | This chapter has been updated to clarify where a Staying Put arrangement is in place, the local authority, where appropriate, may consider delegating part of the Personal Adviser function to the foster carer. |
| Staying Put and Supported Lodgings Guidance and Financial Procedures | Appendix 13: Placement Plan for Looked After & Relevant 16-17 Year Old Young People in Supported Accommodation & Supported Lodgings has been added to this chapter |
| Supervision and Support of Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter should be read alongside Solihull SCP Allegations against Persons who work with Children procedure in the SCP Manual. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Pre-Birth Assessments | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
