Amendments
June 2024
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | Section 15, Resolving Disagreements has been updated to include information on Guidance: Carry Out an Order in Special Educational Needs Cases. It has also been updated 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. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | A link has been added in Section 4, Assessment to BASW Age Assessment Practice Guidance. In Further Information, a link has been added to Operation Innerste Process: Caseworker Guidance. |
| 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. |
| 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 throughout in line with Revised Practice Guidance on the Court’s Approach to Unregistered Placements (October 2023) and Revised National Listing Protocol for Applications that Seek Deprivation of Liberty Orders Relating to Children under the Inherent Jurisdiction. It has also 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. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National Framework | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Prevention of homelessness and provision of accommodation for 16 and 17-year-old young people, who may be homeless and/or require accommodation | This PDF document has been added to the manual. |
| Matching Matrix | This document has been added to the manual. |
| Next Update: December 2024 |
December 2023
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| 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 updated. Information in relation to legal aid for foster carers and prospective adoptive parents in First Tier Tribunal appeals has been added into Section 15, Resolving Disagreements. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been updated. Information in relation to the National Age Assessment Board has been added into Section 4, Assessment. |
| 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 Other Arrangements | This chapter has been updated. |
| 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 Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated. |
| Leaving Care Service | 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. |
| Early Permanence Placements / Fostering for Adoption | This chapter has been refreshed and a link added to National Early Permanence Practice Standards (Coram Centre for Early Permanence). |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Supervision Order Guidance | This is local guidance that has been added to the manual. |
| Ofsted Inspection Framework | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
June 2023
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | Section 8, 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). |
| Case Records and Retention | 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. |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | This chapter has been amended to include a link to Self-harm: Assessment, Management and Preventing Recurrence NICE Guidance into Further Information. |
| Rotherham Looked After Children and Care Leavers Sufficiency Strategy 2023-2028 | This chapter has been updated with a new link. |
| Decision to Look After | This chapter has been updated. |
| Care Planning | This chapter has been updated. |
| 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 Care Assessments and Plans | Information in relation to allergies has been added into Section 4, Health Plans. |
| Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
| 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 Service | This chapter has been revised to include information from the revised Ofsted inspection framework. |
| Fostering Panel | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
| Recruitment, Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Adoption Panel | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Adoption Support | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Disruption of Adoptive Placements | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| 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. A new Section 2, The Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern has been added. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been updated to reflect the updated Public Law Working Group Best Practice Guidance. This includes the new interim guidance, issued by the President of the Family Division, that addresses the lawful extension of care proceedings beyond 26 weeks. Section 6.3, Placement before a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) is Granted has been added in line with guidance that states where there is no pre-existing relationship between the child and special guardians the child should be placed on an interim basis before the special guardianship order is made. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Equality and Diversity | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Risk Assessments 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. |
| Leisure Activites | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance | This chapter has been added. |
| Training and Development of Foster Carers | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
February 2023
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been amended throughout in line with Management Guidance in Public Law Children Cases: March 2022. |
| 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. |
| Placements Outside England and Wales | Section 3, 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. |
| 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. |
| Contact with Parents/Adults and Siblings | Section 3, Supervised Contact has been updated to reflect a finding by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman that the supervisor's observations of the contact must be clearly recorded in the child's record and shared with the parents within 3 months of the visit. |
| Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint | This chapter has been given a general refresh. |
| 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. |
| Placement for Adoption | This chapter has ben refreshed. |
June 2022
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Capacity and Consent | Section 4.3, Consent to the Use of Medication to Suppress Puberty has been updated in line with case-law. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated. |
| Legal Gateway/Planning Meetings | This chapter has been updated. |
| 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. |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | Section 1.3, Section 20 Accommodation has been revised in line with the Public Law Working Group (PLWG) Recommendations to Achieve Best Practice in the Child Protection and Family Justice Systems. |
| Ceasing to Look After a Child | This chapter has been as 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). |
| 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 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. |
| Contact with Parents/Adults and Siblings | A link to Childnet Parents and Carers toolkit has been added. |
| Education of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect Keeping Children Safe in Education. 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. |
| Restrictive Physical Intervention | A link to Ofsted Guidance Positive Environments Where Children Can Flourish has been added. |
| Leaving Care Service | 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 Scope of This Chapter). |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Risk Assessment Panel | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
December 2021
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Contacts and Referrals | The guidance contained in this chapter has been reviewed and updated as required to reflect guidance from the refreshed Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated. 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). See Section 11, Expectations of the Local Authority by the Court in particular. |
| Complaints and Representations | This chapter has been amended to reflect the Children's Statutory Complaint Process: Guide for Practitioners (Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman) (see Relevant Guidance). |
| Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations | Information has been added on recording by employees in a professional capacity, and links added to relevant guidance. |
| 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 into Section 7, 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. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | A link has been added to the Independent Child Trafficking Guardians Referral Form. In areas where the ICTG service has been implemented, if the social worker considers a child to be a potential victim of modern slavery, they should refer them to the ICTG service by completing the online referral form. Section 6.1, Placement Options has been updated in relation to placements in 'other arrangements'. Section 4, Assessment has been updated in relation to Age Assessments. Minor amendments have been made to this chapter in line with the UK's exit from the EEA. |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | This chapter has been refreshed throughout. |
| Relinquished Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect case-law setting out lessons for the future in non-notification cases. |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | A new Section 2, Ordinary Residence has been added. |
| 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. |
| Placements with Parents | Information on placements in 'other arrangements' has been added into Section 1, Planned Placements. |
| 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. |
| Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | Information in relation to children under the age of 16 being placed in 'other arrangements' placements has been added into Section 3, Local Authority Accommodation. |
| Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers | A new Section 7.4, Consent to Life-ending Withdrawal of Medical Support has been added to reflect a High Court judgment. |
| Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been significantly amended to reflect the 'Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted)'; updated 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' (see Scope of This Chapter) and Sexual Harassment in Education – Briefing (House of Parliament Library) (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. Information on the School Admission Code has been added into Section 6, When a Child Needs or Joins a New School. |
| Leaving Care Service | Section 6, 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. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been revised. Information on the School Admission Code has been added into Section 12, The Special Guardianship Support Plan. It has also been updated to reflect Practice Guidance on Special Guardianship published by the Family Justice Council. See Section 6.2, Special Guardianship applications in care proceedings and new Section 16, Special Guardianship Orders in International Cases. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Placements in Other Arrangements | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
July 2021
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| South Yorkshire Practice Guide – The use of Section 20 in the Context of Child Protection | This new Practice Guide has been agreed between the Designated Family Judge for Sheffield, Sheffield City Council, Barnsley MBC, Doncaster MBC and Rotherham MBC. It sets out best practice to be followed in the use of section 20 of the Children Act 1989 as a child protection measure for the safeguarding of children in South Yorkshire. It incorporates the key themes of the Public Law Working Group best practice guidance published in 2021. |
June 2021
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Capacity and Consent | This chapter has been updated to add information on a High Court case in relation to consent in the context of the use of medication to suppress puberty. A new Section 5.4, Consent to Life-ending Withdrawal of Medical Support has been added to reflect High Court judgments. Section 2.1, Consent to Information Sharing has also been updated to reflect revisions contained in the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children, and information has also been added in relation to NICE Quality Standard: Decision-Making and Mental Capacity. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been amended. 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 Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | A new Section 10, Use of Inherent Jurisdiction to Authorise a Placement Involving a Deprivation of Liberty has been added. |
| Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK | This guidance has been reviewed and updated throughout. Section 2.3, 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 2.4, 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. |
| Leaving Care Service | This chapter has been updated. A link to Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leavers: Good Practice Advice (DfE and MHCLG) has been added to support the development of joint protocols that can help local authorities to meet the accommodation needs of care leavers. Additional content has therefore been added in a new Section 8, Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leaver as well as Section 7, Reviews of Pathway Plans and Section 12, Where Care Leavers Live or Move to a Different Local Authority Area. |
| Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody | This chapter has been updated to reflect Section 2.6 Care leavers leaving custody in the publication 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. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | This new policy applies when a child or care leaver is discharged from hospital after having been detained under the Mental Health Act 1983. |
January 2021
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Viability Assessments | This new section contains guidance for social workers on carrying out viability assessments to identify potential carers from within the child's network of family and friends and determine whether they will be able to provide safe care to meet the child's needs until they reach adulthood. Related documents have also been added into the Local Resources section. |
December 2020
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | This guidance has been reviewed and updated as required. |
| 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. New sections on the quality of notifications and learning from notifications have been added. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Capacity and Consent | In this chapter guidance is offered in relation to the various situations in which consent is likely to be sought, with reference to previous legal judgements. This is a potentially complex practice arena and if the practitioner is in any doubt about gaining consent they should always seek further advice from managers and legal advice must be sought as necessary |
| Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff | The use of social media in a social care and safeguarding environment is a developing area. Cases and reviews have discussed the use of social media in social work practice. There is, however, currently no specific government guidance on the issue. This new chapter is designed to highlight some of the issues to be considered, with links to additional information. It is not intended to provide any legal advice, and legal advice must be sought as appropriate. |
| Storage of Data on Mobile Devices | This new chapter provides guidance on the storage of personal data (including photographs) on mobile devices. 'Personal data' is any information about an identifiable living individual. 'Mobile devices' includes memory sticks, mobile telephones including smartphones, tablet technologies, netbooks and laptops. |
| Kinship Care Policy | The Kinship Care Policy which has been extensively updated provides practice guidance in relation to children and young people placed in the care of Family, Friends or Connected Persons. |
| Removed Chapters | |
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June 2020
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Recording Policy and Guidelines | This chapter has been amended to reflect a Blog written 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?). |
December 2019
| 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). |
| Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need) | This chapter has been reviewed. It should be re read in its entirety. |
| Private Fostering | This chapter has been amended. It confirms in Section 14, After the Private Fostering Arrangement Ends that any request for support by the young person should be made to the local authority in which they are resident or where the education and training is being provided. |
| 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. |
| Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews | This chapter has been reviewed and updated. 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 updated significantly therefore should be re read in its entirety. |
| Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated significantly therefore should be re read in its entirety. |
| 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. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters | This chapter has been amended to reflect the national changes in adoption registration and matching (see Section 9, After the Panel Recommendation). A link has also been added to Attending an IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 10, Representations / Independent Review Procedure. |
| 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. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been updated to reference and reflect the Family Court Justice Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship, Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, (see new Section 6.2, Special Guardianship applications in care proceedings). |
| Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship Guidance | This chapter has been updated to note the Family Court Justice Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship, Courts and Tribunals Judiciary (May 2019). See Section 3, Special Guardianship - Matters to be Dealt with in Report for the Court and final sections 11 and 12. |
| 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 has been added to the manual. |
June 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. |
| Family Group Conference Service | This chapter has been updated locally. It should be re-read in it's entirety. |
| Assessments | This chapter has been revised to reflect updated guidance on Assessment in Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated to provide some emphasis on parents who lack capacity. Links have also been added to the President of the Family Division, Family Proceedings: Parents with a Learning Disability note. A relevant link to working with parents who have a learning disability has also been added, (see Section 2.1, Principles) and Practice Direction 3AA - Vulnerable Persons: Participation in Proceedings and Giving Evidence (see Case management in Section 4, Documentation). In Related Guidance, a link has been added to Research in Practice supporting information and guidance on the Social Work Evidence template (SWET) but the locally agreed version of the SWET is to be used. |
| 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). |
| 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. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been updated when a new Section 6, Suitable Placements has been added. Details of the National Transfer Scheme Protocol for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children Version 2.0 March 2018 have been added into Section 1, Introduction and Definitions. |
| Family and Friends Policy and Procedure | This chapter has been updated by adding a link to Looking after someone else's child, GOV.UK (see Relevant Guidance). |
| 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). Additional information has been also added in to Section 1.3, Section 20 Accommodation, in line with recent case-law. |
| 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). |
| 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). |
| 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. |
| 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 and Previously 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 15, Mental Health and a new Section 8, Safeguarding the Looked After Child at School. A link has 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 to include local processes. |
| 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. |
| Persons Disqualified from Fostering | This chapter has been reviewed and refreshed. |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated locally. It should be re-read in it's entirety. |
| 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 6) 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 been also added. |
| Life Story Books Guidance | This chapter has been reviewed and refreshed. Please re-reference. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | 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. It has also been updated to reflect the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman good practice points to follow when working with Special Guardians. A link to the full report 'Firm Foundations: Complaints about Council Support and Advice for Special Guardians (Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman) (May 2018)' has been added into the Relevant National Guidance section of this chapter. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Rotherham Guidance on Consent; Capacity and Use of S20 | This guidance has been added to the manual. |
| Transfer of Cases | This document has been added to the manual. |
| Section 17 Policy | This Draft Policy on S.17 payments has been added to the manual. |
| LADO Referral Process and Threshold | This document has been added to the manual. |
| Person Posing Risk (PPR) Guidance | This guidance has been added to the manual. |
| Deprivation of Liberty Procedures | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Placements with Family and Friends (Regulation 24 Placements) | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
December 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 (February 2018). It includes the seven corporate parenting principles set out in the guidance. |
| Assessments | Section 4, Communication has been updated in to include reference to parents with learning disabilities. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated to provide some emphasis on parents who lack capacity. Links have also been added to the President of the Family Division, Family Proceedings: Parents with a Learning Disability note. A relevant link to working with parents who have a learning disability has also been added, (see Section 2.1, Principles) and Practice Direction 3AA - Vulnerable Persons: Participation in Proceedings and Giving Evidence (see Case management in Section 4, Documentation). In Related Guidance, a link has been added to Research in Practice supporting information and guidance on the Social Work Evidence template (SWET) but the locally agreed version of the SWET is to be used. |
| 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 | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Case Records and Retention | Section 1, The Case Record has been updated in line with the Adoption and Care Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018, which permit 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 / Subject Access Requests | This chapter has been extensively updated throughout and should be re-read. |
| Confidentiality Policy | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been extensively 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. |
| 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. |
| Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children | Section 2, Exceptions has been revised to set out more clearly the circumstances where visiting requirements differ from those set out in Section 1, Normal Frequency. |
| 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. |
| Health Care Assessments and Plans | A new Section 3.5, Consent to Health Care Assessments has been added. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been extensively updated throughout and should be re-read. |
| Adoption 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 Retention and Sharing of Records has been updated in line with the Adoption and Care Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018, which provide 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. |
June 2018
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Contacts and Referrals | This chapter has been revised to set out in more detail the timetable and partnership requirements associated with effectively managing contacts and referrals. |
| Child in Need Plans and Reviews | This chapter has been updated by adding a new Section 5, 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. |
| Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children | Section 3, Assessment has been updated with regards to: in advance of undertaking an age assessment for an unaccompanied asylum seeking child, local authorities must seek Home Office assistance with verifying the authenticity of identity documents e.g. travel documents or a birth certificate. A link to the relevant contact details for local authorities has been added. The statutory guidance has been updated to link to the DfE 2017 Care of Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Modern Slavery – statutory guidance for local authorities. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 is referenced in relation to age assessments. |
| 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). |
| 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). |
| 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. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | 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: 5.39 and Standard 14 (14.9) Fostering panels and the fostering service's decision-maker. Additionally, Section 4.1, Checks has been amended to note that all those 16 and above in a household need to have a completed DBS check. |
| 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). |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Deprivations of Liberty and Mental Capacity | These procedures link to a tri.x site and provides information on Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty in relation to children and young people. Case-law makes clear that social workers and local authorities need to consider whether children in care, or cared for away from home in other settings, may be subject to a Deprivation of Liberty and, if so, what authorisation is required. This is a developing area, and legal advice must be sought as appropriate. If you are uncertain as to whether a case may involve a deprivation of a child's/young person's liberty, you should seek legal advice. |
February 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 s. 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. |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | Section 2.1, The Care Plan – Contents has been amended to reflect the additional 'permanence provisions' of the Care Plan (s. 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 s.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. |
| Placement for Adoption | 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 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. |
| 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. |
June 2017
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Child's Assessment (including Section 47 Enquiries) | Links have been added to an Assessment Practice Guide and International Child Abduction and Contact Unit – Forms and Guidance in the Relevant Guidance section. |
| Short Breaks - Care for Disabled Children | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Private Fostering | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
| Child Trust Funds and Junior Individual Savings Accounts for Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect the increase in the annual limit on contributions to Child Trust Funds/Junior ISAs for Looked After Children (to £4128). |
| Rotherham Looked After Children and Care Leavers Sufficiency Strategy 2017-2021 | An updated version of this document has been added. |
| Placements with Connected Persons | 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. |
| 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). |
| 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 extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Promoting Good Health and Well Being | A link has 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) in the Related Guidance section. This guideline 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. It aims to address the many emotional and psychological needs of children and young people in these situations, including those resulting from maltreatment. |
| Staying Put Policy | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Fostering Service - Statement of Purpose | An updated version has been added. |
| Supervision and Support of Foster Carers | Supervision and Support of Foster Carers has been updated to include that the duties of the Fostering Supervising Social Worker also include reviewing the Safer Caring Plan and any changes in household circumstances and assessing and reviewing any health and safety issues within the fostering household including the addition of any new pets. |
| Adoption - Statement of Purpose | An updated version has been added. |
| Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters | Section 5.3, Assessments has been updated to include where the applicants have pets, a risk assessment should be conducted and any associated risks should be taken into account with regard to the pet itself and where the pet is kept. Where necessary, an independent assessment should be undertaken by a vet to establish whether the dog falls within the scope of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. |
| Inter Country Adoption | Section 3, Initial Meeting the DfE have published Intercountry Adoption and Resident Status Requirements which set out the minimum requirements, however entry clearance requirements vary depending upon the circumstances of each case and prospective adopters will need to obtain their own independent legal advice to establish the requirements that apply to their individual circumstances. 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. In Section 12, After Approval information has been added on the Intercountry Adoption Forms: checklist for adoption which details the paperwork adoption agencies must include in the intercountry adoption applications they submit to DfE. |
| Life Story Books | A Life Story Book – Guidance and Notes and Life Story Book Template have been added to the Related Guidance and Information section. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Evolve - Multi-Agency Child Sexual Exploitation Team | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Children and Young People's Continuing Care Policy | This document covers how NHS Rotherham Integrated Care Board will apply its duties for Children and Young Peoples Continuing Care. |
| Relinquished Children | This chapter deals with the first stages of the adoption process for relinquished children, whilst signposting other key processes that should be progressed and which are expected for any child who is Accommodated or where the plan is for adoption. It also summarises the counselling and support that will be made available to the birth family in these circumstances. Once a decision is made and consent is formally given, although not irreversible, the adoption process is as for any other child. |
| Looked After Children and Care Leaver's Strategy 2017-2020 | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Deleted Chapters | |
|
|
December 2016
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Newly Qualified Social Worker Assessed and Supported Year in Employment Framework | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Child's Assessment (including Section 47 Enquiries) | This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a judgment following an application to remove a child at birth. The judge highlighted 'good practice steps' to undertaking assessments and issuing care proceedings in respect of the removal of a child at birth, including the assessment process. |
| Transfer of Cases | This chapter has been updated to reflect that references to MASP have been replaced with PLO Proceedings Panel. |
| Children's Disability Team | This chapter has been updated and replaced the former chapter entitled, Children's Disability Service. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | Links have been added to the National Framework for Children and Young People's Continuing Care and 0-25 SEND code of practice: a guide for health professionals. Advice for Integrated Care Boards, health professionals and local authorities in the Related Guidance section. |
| Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children | Links have been added in Section 4, Child's Assessment to The Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) website to Age Assessment Guidance and Information Sharing Guidance for UASC 'good practice documents'. |
| 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. Section 9, The Final Hearing and Section 10, The Issues Resolution Hearing have also been added. |
| Private Law - Section 7 and 37 Reports | Section 3, Section 37 Introduction, references to MASP have been replaced with PLO Proceedings Panel. |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | A link has been added to the ADCS/Cafcass Practice Guidance for the Use of Section 20. |
| Placements in Foster Care | Section 2, Placement Request has been updated with regards to all requests for placements should be made to the Placements Team. |
| Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Education of Looked After Children | A link has been added to Mental Health Behaviour in Schools Guidance (DfE 2016) in the Related Guidance section. |
| Internet Safety Policy for Looked After Children | A link has been added to Child Safety Online, A practical guide for parents and carers whose children are using social media in Appendix D: Useful Websites and Telephone Numbers. |
| Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters | Section 1, Recruitment and Responding to Initial Enquiries, information has been added with regards to where an enquiry is about inter-country adoption, information should also be given about the policy on fees and an estimation of the costs the prospective adopter will have to pay to the agency and the Department for Education. |
| Placement for Adoption | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Intermediary Services | Section 4, Deciding Whether to Proceed with the Application has been updated to reflect that if, at any time, the intermediary agency ascertains that the subject of an application is under the age of 18, it must not proceed further with the application. |
| Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters | Section 4, Fostering for Adoption has been updated to reflect 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. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations | This chapter deals with recording of meetings/conversations by individual service-users, in their capacity as private individuals. Note that the employees of the local authority, acting in their professional capacity, are subject to different legislative requirements, e.g. under the Data Protection Act 1998. |
| Legal Gateway Planning Meetings | This chapter deals with the purpose, arrangements and recording of Legal Gateway Planning Meetings. |
June 2016
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Whistleblowing (Confidential Reporting Code) | A link has been added to Whistleblowing About Children's Social Care Services to Ofsted – Guidance in the Related Guidance and Information section. |
| Convening a Child Protection Conference (Initial and Review) | A link has been added to Rotherham Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures Manual, Child Protection Review Conferences Procedure. |
| Direct Payments | Section 7, Hospital Stays has been added |
| Short Breaks | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children | This chapter has been updated with regards to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the consideration of any issues that may indicate that the child is or has been trafficked or a victim of compulsory labour, servitude and slavery. |
| Special Guardianship Support Services Policy | This chapter has been revised and updated to reflect the enhanced assessment and reporting requirements (for all applications made from 29 February 2016) as set out in the Special Guardianship (Amendment) Regulations 2016. |
| Private Law - Section 7 and 37 Reports | Section 1, Private Law Applications has been added with regards to changes to public funding in relation to private law applications to court for any Section 8 Orders. |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | This chapter has been extensively updated with particular regard to Section 20 accommodation and gaining parental consent and should be read throughout. |
| Placements in Residential Care | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Placements with Connected Persons | This chapter has been extensively updated including notifying the IRO of the approval of immediate placements of looked after children with connected persons and as the connected person will be temporarily approved as a foster carer, they will be required to sign a foster carer agreement. This chapter should be read throughout. |
| Contact with Parents/Adults and Siblings | This chapter has been significantly updated with regards to the Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. Section 2, Different Types of Contact and Section 6, Cancellation, Suspension or Termination of Contact have been added. |
| Court Reports in Adoption/Special Guardianship Guidance | Section 3, Special Guardianship - Matters to be Dealt with in Report for the Court, has been revised and updated to reflect the enhanced assessment and reporting requirements (for all applications made from 29 February 2016 as set out in the Special Guardianship (Amendment) Regulations 2016. |
December 2015
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Confidentiality Policy | This chapter has been updated to reflect Information Sharing: Advice for Practitioners Providing Safeguarding Services to Children, Young People, Parents and Carers. |
| Short Breaks | Section 7, Short Break Settings, revised links to new Quality Standards for Children's Homes and Care Quality Commission (CQC). |
| Young Carers | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Child Trust Funds and Junior Individual Savings Accounts for Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect the increase in the annual limit on contributions to Child Trust Funds/Junior ISAs for Looked After Children (to £4080). |
| Permanence Planning Guidance | This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read. |
| Placements in Foster Care | A new Section 10, Long Term Foster Placement has been added to this chapter. |
| Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect arrangements with regards to a child in a long-term foster placement. |
| Looked After Reviews | This chapter has been updated, including the addition of a new Section 10, Looked After Reviews Concerning Children in Long Term Foster Placements. |
| Notification of Significant Events | This chapter has been updated to reflect Children's Homes Regulations 2015. |
| Local Contacts | This chapter has been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Ceasing to Look After a Child | This chapter reflects the statutory guidance 'Ceasing to look after a child' in 'Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations' as amended by the 'Care Planning and Fostering (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2015' together with Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Tattooing and Body Piercing Policy | Fashion trends have increased the body parts that are pierced. With this in mind, looked after children's requests to be pierced or tattooed need to be taken into consideration in light of current youth culture, but subject to appropriate safeguards contained within this policy. |
August 2015
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Applications for Emergency Protection Orders | This chapter has been updated including Section 2, Decision to Apply for an EPO to include the Director, Safeguarding Children and Families ratification is required before the application is made including whether the application should be made ex parte (i.e. without prior notice being given to the parents). |
| MASP (Pre-Proceedings) and Care Proceedings - A Practical Guide | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter replaces previous separate chapters regarding Court Proceedings and the Public Law Outline. |
July 2015
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Social Work Progression Framework | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read in its entirety. |
| Whistleblowing (Confidential Reporting Code) | A link has been added to Raising Concerns at Work: Whistleblowing Guidance for Workers and employers in Health and Social Care (2014) in the Related Information section. |
| Retention of Documentation and Destruction of Files | In Section 2, Destruction of Files, a note has been added to say all child related documents are to be kept indefinitely. |
| Family CAF Paperwork | An updated 2.1.3.1 Family CAF Form has been added. |
| Child's Assessment (including Section 47 Enquiries) | A link has been added to Working with Foreign Authorities: Child Protection Cases and Care Orders Departmental Advice for Local Authorities, Social Workers, Service Managers and Children's Services Lawyers July 2014 in the Relevant Guidance section. |
| Direct Payments | This chapter has been updated throughout in line with the Children and Families Act 2014 Part 3 (children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities) and the Special Educational Needs (Personal Budgets) Regulations 2014. The chapter should be re-read. |
| Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect Care of Unaccompanied and Trafficked Children: Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities on the Care of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking and Trafficked Children (2014). |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | This chapter has been updated in line with Looked-after Children: Contact with Siblings - Update to Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. Additional information has been added in to Section 1.3, Actions Required After a Decision to Look After is Made, in relation to sibling placement. |
| Permanence Planning Guidance | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Families Act 2014, and the overall aim of speeding up the adoption process. The chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. The main changes are in relation to adoption, specifically Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters. |
| Out of Area Placements | This chapter has been updated in line with the above guidance, and should be re-read. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation | This chapter has been slightly updated. Links have been added to related guidance and chapter. |
| Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read in its entirety. |
| Placements with Parents | This chapter has been updated. Additional information has been added into Section 1.9, Ending of Placement, to take account of recent case-law. |
| Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Contact with Parents and Siblings | This chapter has been updated in line with statutory guidance. Additional information has been added in to Section 1, Approving and Planning Contact, in relation to sibling placement. |
| Education of Looked After Children | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| 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 years 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 Policy | 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. |
| Supervision and Support of Foster Carers | A link has been added to the Transfer of Foster Carers Protocol England (2014) in the Related Information section. |
| Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Families Act 2014 and the overall aim of speeding up the adoption process. The chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. Information has been added in relation to:
|
| Placement for Adoption | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Families Act 2014, and the overall aim of speeding up the adoption process. The chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. The main changes are in relation to:
|
| Adoption Support | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Families Act 2014. A new Section 2, Duty to Provide Information Concerning Adoption Support, has been added. |
| Intermediary Services | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Local Contacts | This chapter has been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Safeguarding and Specialist Service - Top 10 Service Standards | This document has been added to the manual. |
| Need to Know Procedure: Essential Reporting for Safeguarding and Children's Services | These guidelines set out a process to capture and track any such incidents. |
| North West Regional LADO Retention Policy | This policy has been compiled by the North West Regional LADO group to provide guidance to LADOs and other agencies in relation to the retention of information collated by LADOs. |
| Contact between Parents and their Children in Hospital where there are safeguarding concerns | This protocol provides outline guidance to all professionals on the need for effective communication, assessment and planning when it is identified that a parent or other adult may present a risk of harm whilst a child is admitted to hospital. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This procedure sets out the specific provision under the Children and Families Act 2014 in relation to children and young people aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs or disabilities and their carers'. For the purposes of the Act, 'young person' is someone aged 16-25. The Care Act 2014 introduced changes to adult care and support. This also includes transitions for young disabled people into adulthood, and support to carers. |
| Private Law - Section 7 and 37 Reports | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters | This procedure deals with placement of a child with carers who are dually approved, i.e. approved both as prospective adopters and as local authority foster carers. |
November 2014
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Family Recovery Programme (FRP) | An updated Family Recovery Programme Referral Form has been added. |
| Child Arrangements Order (with Residence Requirement) Allowance | This chapter has been updated to reflect that Child Arrangements Orders, introduced in April 2014 by the Children and Families Act 2014 (which amended section 8 Children Act 1989) replace Contact Orders and Residence Orders. |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | A link has been added to the No Recourse to Public Funds Network in the Related Information section. |
| Court Proceedings | Sections 1, Introduction and 6 Parallel Criminal Investigations have been added. |
| Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated to reflect the updated Public Law Outline came into effect on 22 April 2014, alongside the statutory 26-week time-limit for completion of care and supervision proceedings under the Children and Families Act 2014. |
| Care Proceedings - A Practical Guide | This guide has been updated. |
| Child Trust Funds and Junior Individual Savings Accounts for Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect the increase in the annual limit on contributions to Child Trust Funds/Junior ISAs for Looked After Children (to £4000) as from 1 July 2014. |
| Permanence Planning Guidance | This chapter has been updated to reflect the change to Child Arrangement Orders as result of the implementation of the Children and Families Act 2014. |
| Education of Looked After Children | Section 1, Duty to Promote the Educational Achievement of Looked After Children and links to Keeping Children Safe in Education and Guidance on Designated Teacher for Looked After Children has been added. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been updated in line with Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 3: Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers. Information has been added in relation to Section 5, The 16-19 Bursary Fund and Higher Education Bursary, and a new Section 6, Young People Resuming Education or Training After 21 and Section 10, Access to Records have been added. |
| Staying Put Policy | This chapter has been updated throughout in line with Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 3: Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers and should be re-read. |
| Staying Put Procedure | This chapter has been updated throughout in line with Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 3: Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers and should be re-read. |
| Fostering Service - Statement of Purpose | This has been updated. |
| Adoption - Statement of Purpose | This has been updated. |
| Local Contacts | This chapter has been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Family CAF Paperwork | This chapter links to relevant paperwork which is available in different languages. |
| Step Down | Where a child no longer requires statutory social work intervention, but needs are still such that a multi-agency team around the family is necessary to sustained improvement and reduce risk factors, then a Family CAF should be put in place. |
| Notification of Significant Events | This chapter sets out who must be notified of specified events in relation to Looked After Children placed in foster care or residential care. |
| Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire Process | The information contained in this chapter is a proposed process for ensuring that each looked after child and young person between the ages of 4 and 18 years old receive an assessment of their mental health and that where there are indications of difficulties this is acted on. |
| Rotherham Looked After Children Strategy 2014 - 2017 | This strategy is an ongoing initiative, rather than a completed piece of work. It sets out improved outcomes for all our children and young people in care and what needs to be done by all those involved in the development and delivery of services to looked after children. Whilst the local authority is the lead agency in developing and implementing this strategy, it has and is being developed and implemented by a range of professionals working in the local authority and key partner agencies, such as, for example, colleagues in health and schools. |
| Leaving Care and Accommodation Statement of Purpose | This Statement of Purpose has been added. |
| Family Finding Process | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
