Amendments
October 2024
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles | Amendments have been made in line with the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Contacts and Referrals | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Assessments | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47) | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | Information has been added in relation to family group decision-making in line with the Children’s Social Care National Framework and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023. |
| Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver up to the Age of 24) | Amendments have been made in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children, to note that notifications should be made of the death of a care leaver up to and including the age of 24. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | Information on Guidance: Carry Out an Order in Special Educational Needs Cases has been added into Section 15, Resolving Disagreements. |
| Personal Budgets and Direct Payments | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | A link has been added in Section 4, Age Assessment to BASW Age Assessment Practice Guidance. In Further Information, a link has been added to Operation Innerste Process: Caseworker Guidance. |
| Placements with Connected Persons | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Notifications of Significant Events of Looked After Children | Amendments have been made in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children, to note that notifications should be made of the death of a care leaver up to and including the age of 24. |
| Staying Put | This chapter replaces the previous chapter with the same title and Amendments have been made in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children, to note that notifications should be made of the death of a care leaver up to and including the age of 24. |
| Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance | Links have been added to: Guidance: Use of Force, Restraint and Restrictive Practices in the Children and Young People Secure Estate which sets out rules and guidance on the use of approved restraint techniques and restrictive physical interventions for staff at secure settings and escort providers in the Youth Custody Service (YCS). AND A Joint Thematic Inspection of Work with Children Subject to Remand in Youth Detention. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | Information has been added on how to request information about an applicant from Ofsted. |
| Recruitment, Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters | Information has been added on how to request information about an applicant from Ofsted. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | Amendments have been made in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children, to note that notifications should be made of the death of a care leaver up to and including the age of 24. |
| New Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Family Networks and Family Group Decision Making | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National Framework | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Next Update: April 2025 |
April 2024
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| 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. |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | Section 2, Ordinary Residence has been updated in line with case law. |
| Young Carers | This chapter has been amended to reflect updated Ofsted guidance. |
| Placements in Residential Care | This chapter has been amended to reflect updated Ofsted guidance. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | This chapter has been amended in line with the 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. |
| Placements in Other Arrangements | This chapter has been amended to reflect updated Ofsted guidance. |
| Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been refreshed throughout. |
October 2023
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Capacity and Consent | This chapter has been updated 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. |
| Whistleblowing Policy | This PDF document has been updated and changes can be seen in red text. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | Information has been added in relation to legal aid for foster carers and prospective adoptive parents in First Tier Tribunal appeals. |
| Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings | This chapter has been updated in line with the UK Social Work Practice in Safeguarding Disabled Children and Young People report. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been updated to to reflect the launch of the National Age Assessment Board, which began a phased rollout on 31 March 2023. |
| 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. |
| Decision to Look After | This chapter has been updated in line with case-law on the use of Section 20 accommodation. |
| Placements in Other Arrangements | This chapter has been updated throughout to reflect supported accommodation for 16-17 year olds becoming regulated by Ofsted, and is offered as a replacement chapter. |
| 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 | This chapter has been amended to add information in relation to allergies. Additional information has been added about online safety. |
| Health Care Assessments and Plans | This chapter has been amended to add information in relation to allergies. |
| Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After Child | This chapter has been amended to include that the Act will raise the age of marriage and civil partnership to 18 in England and Wales. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | From 1 April 2023 the leaving care allowance has been increased by £1000 from £2000 to £3000. |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been amended in line with the revised keeping Children Safe in Education. |
| 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 has been added to National Early Permanence Practice Standards (Coram Centre for Early Permanence). ‘Early Permanence’ has been added to the chapter title. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| OFSTED Inspection Framework | This chapter has been added to the manual and links to the Ofsted Inspection Frameworks for the various social care services. |
April 2023
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated in line with A View From the President's Chambers: Relaunching the PLO (November 2022) A link has also 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. |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | A link has been added to Self-harm: Assessment, Management and Preventing Recurrence NICE Guidance. |
| Placements Outside England and Wales | This chapter has been amended to reflect 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 to reflect the changes to the youth remand framework under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. |
| Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management | This chapter has been updated to incorporate Ofsted feedback. |
| Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services | This chapter has been amended to include information on Appropriate Adults. |
| Fostering Panel | This chapter has been reviewed and refreshed. |
| Supervision and Support of Foster Carers | This chapter has been reviewed and refreshed. |
| Training and Development of Foster Carers | Section 3, Mandatory Training has been added to make clear that training for foster carers in BCP is mandatory. |
| Recruitment, Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters | This chapter has been refreshed and should be re-read. |
| Adoption Panel | This chapter has been refreshed and should be re-read. |
| Placement for Adoption | This chapter has been refreshed and should be re-read. |
| Adoption Support | This chapter has been refreshed and should be re-read. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been refreshed and should be re-read. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance | This chapter has been added. |
October 2022
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been amended in line with Management Guidance in Public Law Children Cases: March 2022. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been updated to reflect 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. |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | This chapter has been updated to reflect case-law. |
| Decision to Look After | This chapter has been reviewed and rewritten and should be read in its entirety. |
| Placements in Residential Care | This chapter has been updated to add guidance on when a child leaves a placement, and to add a link to the NYAS 'My Things Matter' Report – support and respect care-experienced children and their belongings when they move. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | This chapter has been updated to reflect case law. |
Contact with Parents/Adults and Siblings |
This chapter has been amended in line with a finding by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. |
| Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management | This chapter has been reviewed and rewritten and should be read in its entirety. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been updated to add guidance on when a child leaves a placement, and to add a link to the NYAS 'My Things Matter' Report – support and respect care-experienced children and their belongings when they move. |
| Fostering Panel | This chapter has been reviewed and rewritten and should be read in its entirety. |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been reviewed and rewritten and should be read in its entirety. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
Equality and Diversity |
This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Care Planning | 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 to the manual. |
| Training and Development of Foster Carers | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
April 2022
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Capacity and Consent | Section 4.3 Consent to the Use of Medication to Suppress Puberty of has been updated to reflect the latest in a string of court cases. |
| Contacts and Referrals | This chapter has been generally refreshed. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been generally refreshed. |
| Legal Gateway/Planning Meetings | This chapter has been generally refreshed. |
| Complaints and Representations | This chapter has been amended to add information from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman's guide for dealing with children's services statutory complaints. |
| Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations | Part 1 of the Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations chapter has been updated in line with case-law. Information has been added on recording by employees in a professional capacity, and links added to relevant guidance. |
| 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 | This chapter has been refreshed and updated and links added to reports from the House of Commons Library. |
| Short Breaks | The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review, statutory guidance has been updated. This makes changes in relation to the prohibition on placements of children under 16 in 'other arrangements' (previously known as 'unregulated accommodation'), in line with Regulation 27A Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 (as amended by Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021). |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | The President of the Family Division has expressed anticipation that, from the end of July 2021, courts will expect that every public law children case will accord with the Public Law Working Group Recommendations to Achieve Best Practice in the Child Protection and Family Justice Systems. |
| Placements with Parents | The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review, statutory guidance has been updated. This makes changes in relation to the prohibition on placements of children under 16 in 'other arrangements' (previously known as 'unregulated accommodation'), in line with Regulation 27A Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 (as amended by Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021). ALSO The President of the Family Division has expressed anticipation that, from the end of July 2021, courts will expect that every public law children case will accord with the Public Law Working Group Recommendations to Achieve Best Practice in the Child Protection and Family Justice Systems. |
| Placements in Residential Care | The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review, statutory guidance has been updated. This makes changes in relation to the prohibition on placements of children under 16 in 'other arrangements' (previously known as 'unregulated accommodation'), in line with Regulation 27A Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 (as amended by Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021). |
| Out of Area Placements | The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review, statutory guidance has been updated. This makes changes in relation to the prohibition on placements of children under 16 in 'other arrangements' (previously known as 'unregulated accommodation'), in line with Regulation 27A Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 (as amended by Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021). |
| Placements Outside England and Wales | The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review, statutory guidance has been updated. This makes changes in relation to the prohibition on placements of children under 16 in 'other arrangements' (previously known as 'unregulated accommodation'), in line with Regulation 27A Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 (as amended by Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021). |
| Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review, statutory guidance has been updated. This makes changes in relation to the prohibition on placements of children under 16 in 'other arrangements' (previously known as 'unregulated accommodation'), in line with Regulation 27A Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 (as amended by Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021). |
| Education of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This procedure has been substantially updated and should be re-read. |
| Placement for Adoption | Some CoramBAAF forms have been changed / no longer exist. |
| Adoption Case Records | Some CoramBAAF forms have been changed / no longer exist. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library) | A link to this resource has been added to the manual. |
| NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People | A link to this guideline has been added to the manual. |
| Placements in Other Arrangements | This chapter has been added. |
| Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere | A link to this resource has been added to the manual. |
October 2021
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Capacity and Consent | This chapter has been updated to reflect a High Court judgement that consent to life-ending withdrawal of medical support for a child will require an application to the High Court. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | The link to the SWET (updated April 2021) has been updated. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | Reunification of Probation Services - from 24 June 2021, probation services will be delivered by the National Probation Service. |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | This chapter has been updated to note that the High Court in ST (a child, by his Litigation Friend VW) & VW v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2021] EWHC 1085 (Admin) held that immigration caseworkers, when deciding whether to accept that the applicant is 'destitute or at risk of imminent destitution' are required to 'have regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare' of any children involved in the application, in accordance with section 55 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009. And Amended to take account of the UK's withdrawal from the EU and reflect the UK's exit from the EEA. |
| Relinquished Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect a High Court case setting out lessons for the future in non-notification cases. |
| 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 | Reunification of Probation Services - from 24 June 2021, probation services will be delivered by the National Probation Service. |
| Placements in Residential Care | From September 2021, looked after children under 16 years of age cannot be accommodated in unregulated independent or semi-independent placements. |
| Placements Outside England and Wales | Additional information has been added to Placements Outside England and Wales in relation to placements in Scotland, in line with a High Court case. |
| Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers | This chapter has been updated to reflect a High Court judgement that consent to life-ending withdrawal of medical support for a child will require an application to the High Court. |
| Advocacy and Independent Visitors | This chapter has been reviewed and updated throughout. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | 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. |
| Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody | Reunification of Probation Services - from 24 June 2021, probation services will be delivered by the National Probation Service. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Early Help, Family Support and Young People's Strategy | This new chapter has been entirely rewritten and should be read in its entirety. |
| Family Justice Resource Hub (ADCS) | A link has been added to the Legal Proceedings Section in the Contents List to the Family Justice Resource Hub (ADCS). This hosts a series of practical resources, such as templates, tools and practice guidance, which will be of interest to those working in the family justice system. |
| Whistleblowing Policy | This new chapter has been entirely rewritten and should be read in its entirety. |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | Care leaver is discharged from hospital after having been detained under the Mental Health Act 1983. |
April 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. Information has also been added in relation to NICE Quality Standard: Decision-Making and Mental Capacity. |
| Complaints and Representations | Information contained in this procedure has been reviewed and refreshed as required. |
| 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. |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | This chapter has been updated and should be reread. |
| 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 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). |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | A new Section 10, Use of Inherent Jurisdiction to Authorise a Placement Involving a Deprivation of Liberty When One or More of the Relevant Criteria Under Section 25 Children Act 1989 are Not Satisfied has been added. Section 6, Placements of Children under 13 Years has been updated following publication of revised DfE guidance. A revised link has been added to Secure Children's Homes. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been updated, with 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. 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 13, 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 the Section 2.6, Care leavers leaving custody in Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leavers: good practice advice (DfE and MHCLG) (see Section 3.9, Planning for Release). |
| Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | A link has been added to Prepare for a review panel: adopters and foster carers. |
| Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers | A link has been added to Prepare for a review panel: adopters and foster carers. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters | A link has been added to Prepare for a review panel: adopters and foster carers. |
| 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. |
October 2020
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Notifications of Significant Events of Looked After Children | 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 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 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. Local Authorities and Courts may have local protocols in place on the use of social media/service of documents. |
| Storage of Data on Mobile Devices | This 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. |
April 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. Note: The existing paper forms will be accepted until 29th February 2020. |
| 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?). |
| Notifications of Significant Events | This procedure has been updated to reflect revised guidance issued by Ofsted to Children's Homes Providers in August 2019. The revised guidance sought to clarify what is meant by a 'serious event' in relation to a child living in a Children's Homes with the aim of reducing the overall number of notifications made to Ofsted, and in particular reducing the number of repeat notifications made as a result of submitting additional / updated information. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | A paragraph has been added to Section 6.1, Pathway Planning for those Aged 21 and up to 25 clarifying that a management record will be created when a care experienced young person becomes pregnant or is going to be a father. |
| 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). |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been reviewed and refreshed, and terminology has been updated where required. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters | A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 10, Representations / Independent Review Procedure. |
| Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records | A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 3.2, Adoption Orders made on or after 30 December 2005. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| 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. |
October 2019
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| 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, further detail has been added with respect to the Final Care Plan. |
| Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need) | This chapter has been updated throughout to reflect Working Together to Safeguard Children and the process for reporting a serious incident to the Panel via the Child Safeguarding Notification System. |
| Private Fostering | This chapter has been amended to confirm that after the private fostering arrangement ends that any request for support from the young person should be made to the local authority in which they are resident or where the education and training is provided. |
| 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. |
| 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 | A link has been added to the Leaving Care and Transition chapter in relation to Personal Adviser visits to 'Relevant' or 'Former Relevant' young people. |
| Notifications of Significant Events | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been updated to add information with regard to a care leaver's status as a victim of trafficking or UASC when preparing an assessment of need. Section 7, Reviews of Pathway Plans has been amended in relation to Relevant/Former Relevant young people moving to 'unregulated' accommodation. Section 8, Personal Advisers has been amended in relation to frequency of visits by Personal Advisers. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters | References to the Adoption Register and to Adoption Match have been amended following the Adoption Register suspension and the adoption agency Adoption Match (at the end of March 2019). |
| Placement for Adoption | References to the Adoption Register and to Adoption Match have been amended following the Adoption Register suspension and the adoption agency Adoption Match (at the end of March 2019). |
| 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). Statutory visits and monitoring of these placements are undertaken by the Responsible Authority (see Section 1.2, The Responsibilities of Authorities – Definitions). However, note that this guidance is not relevant for Looked After Children – who have their own statutory visiting requirements (see Social Work Visits to Looked After Children Procedure). |
