Amendments

December 2023

CAPTION: December 2023

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	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	Information has been added into Section 15, Resolving Disagreements in relation to legal aid for foster carers and prospective adoptive parents in First Tier Tribunal appeals.
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery	Information has been added in to Section 4, Assessment in relation to the National Age Assessment Board.
Families with No Recourse to Public Funds	Section 5.2.5, Providing Support has been updated to reflect the Home Office increase in financial support to individuals waiting to find out if they will be given asylum in the UK.
Placements in Other Arrangements	This chapter has been refreshed throughout.
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 refreshed throughout.
Leaving Care and Transition	This chapter has been amended to note that with effect from 1 April 2023, the leaving care allowance increased from £2,000 to £3,000.
Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters	This chapter has been refreshed and a link added to National Early Permanence Practice Standards (Coram Centre for Early Permanence).
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders	This chapter has been updated. Information has been added into Section 6.2, Special Guardianship Applications in Care Proceedings in relation to timing of assessments.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Ofsted Inspection Framework	This chapter has been added.

CAPTION: Next Update

Next Update: December 2023

2023 Amendments

June 2023

CAPTION: June 2023

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Providing Personalised Care	This chapter as been updated to add Culturally Appropriate Care (Skills for Care), a range of resources to support embedding culturally appropriate care in everyday good practice. See Further Information.
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 Condition 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.
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery	'Council Guide to Tackling Modern Slavery' has been added into Further Information section.
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 in Further Information.
Decision to Look After	Section 3, Section 20 Accommodation has been updated in line with case-law.
Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation	This chapter has been amended to include information from Annex to MOJ Circular 2022/03: Additional Information on Remand to Local Authority Accommodation (RLAA).
Health and Safety	Information has been added into Section 6, Diet, Nutrition and Allergies, in relation to allergies.
Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management	This chapter has been amended to incorporate Ofsted feedback. Additional information has been added into Section 2, Positive Behaviour Support and Section 5.4, Recording of Sanctions.
Health Care Assessments and Plans	Information has been added into Section 4, Health Plans in relation to allergies.
Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After Child	This chapter has been updated.
Leaving Care and Transition	This chapter has been revised to include information from the revised Ofsted inspection framework.
Allegations Against Foster Carers	This chapter as 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.
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 Title	Details
Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: National Guidance	This chapter has been added.

2022 Amendments

December 2022

CAPTION: December 2022

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983	This chapter has been amended to refer to Guidance issued by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman and the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
Decision to Look After	This chapter has been refreshed.
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.
Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management	This chapter has been refreshed.
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.
Luton Borough Council Fostering Statement of Purpose	The statement of purpose has been updated.
Fostering Panel	This chapter has been refreshed.
Allegations Against Foster Carers	This chapter has been refreshed.
Recruitment, Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters	This chapter has been refreshed.
Adoption Panel	This chapter has been refreshed.
Placement for Adoption	This chapter has been refreshed.
Adoption Support	This chapter has been refreshed.
Disruption of Adoptive Placements	This chapter has been refreshed.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Equality and Diversity	This chapter has been added.
Children's Consultation and Participation	This chapter has been added.
Risk Assessment and Planning	This chapter has been added.
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline	This chapter has been added.
Legal Gateway Meetings	This chapter has been added.
Providing Personalised Care	This chapter has been added.
Care Planning	This chapter has been added.
Health and Safety	This chapter has been added.
Leisure Activities	This chapter has been added.
Training and Development of Foster Carers	This chapter has been added.

September 2022

CAPTION: September 2022

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Capacity and Consent	Section 4.3, Consent to the Use of Medication to Suppress Puberty has been updated in line with case-law.
Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff	This chapter has been given a general refresh.
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities	Section 15, Resolving Disagreements has been updated in line with the First Tier Tribunal's extended powers to hear appeals and make non-binding recommendations about health and social care aspects of Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans, provided those appeals also include education elements.
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery	This chapter has been further refreshed where required.
Decision to Look After and Care Planning	Section 1.3, Section 20 Accommodation was 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 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 with Parents	This chapter has been updated.
Placements in Foster Care	This chapter has been amended to add a link to the NYAS 'My Things Matter' Report – support and respect care-experienced children and their belongings when they move (see Section 4, Placement Planning).
Placements in Residential Care	This chapter has been amended to add a link to the NYAS 'My Things Matter' Report – support and respect care-experienced children and their belongings when they move (see Section 2.3, 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.
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	This chapter has been updated.
Leaving Care and Transition	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 Title	Details
Health Care Assessments and Plans	This chapter has been added.

March 2022

CAPTION: March 2022

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Recording Policy and Guidelines	This chapter has been updated to reflect local guidance.
Permanence Planning Guidance	This chapter has been updated to reflect local guidance.
Removed Chapters
Family Group Conference Service; Family Safeguarding Workbook Policy.

2021 Amendments

December 2021

CAPTION: December 2021

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Capacity and Consent	Section 4.3, Consent to the Use of Medication to Suppress Puberty has been updated and 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 been updated to reflect revisions contained in the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Contacts and Referrals	Guidance contained in this chapter has been reviewed and updated as required to reflect guidance from the refreshed Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Assessments	This chapter has been amended to add a new section on 16 and 17 year olds who may be Homeless and/or require Accommodation and reflects the issue of Homelessness and the vulnerability of young people identified in Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Public Law Outline Procedures and Guidance	The SWET templates have been added.
Children's Social Care Complaints Procedure	This procedure has been updated.
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 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 amended to take account of the UK's withdrawal from the EU and reflect the UK's exit from the EEA. In addition it 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.
Safeguarding Children who Run Away or Go Missing	Luton's Missing Children and Young People's guides and recording processes have been added.
Family and Friends Care	This chapter has been revised. A new Section 7, Education has been added and information added on the School Admission Code.
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	Section 1, Planned Placements has been updated to add information on placements in 'other arrangements.'
Placements in Residential Care	This chapter has been updated to note that, from September 2021, looked after children under 16 years of age cannot be accommodated in unregulated independent or semi-independent placements.
Out of Area Placements	Section 6, Placements in Wales has been updated in line with updated Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review.
Placements 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 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 has been added in relation to children under the age of 16 being placed in 'other arrangements' placements 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.
Advocacy and Independent Visitors	This chapter has been revised throughout.
Leaving Care and Transition	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.
Adoption Case Records	This chapter has been updated.
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders	This chapter has been revised. In Section 12, The Special Guardianship Support Plan, information has been added on the School Admission Code. It has also been updated also to reflect Practice Guidance on Special Guardianship published by the Family Justice Council (June 2020). 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 Title	Details
Sufficiency Strategy Children in Care 2021-2024	This Strategy sets out how the local authority will meet the sufficiency duty as described in Section 22G of Children Act 1989.
Luton Practice Framework and Expectations	This document has been developed with practitioners and managers, aligning with the 'Practice Framework Reflective Tool' (page 34) to enable discussion and reflection on what good practice looks like in their particular team.
Effective Support for Children and Young People in Luton	This guide explains the criteria for providing help to children, young people, families and carers. It should be considered as the local 'threshold document' required by Working Together to Safeguard Children and should be read in parallel to the guidance.
CSC Induction Programme Booklet	This booklet has been added to the manual.
Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Placements in Other Arrangements	This chapter has been added to the manual.

June 2021

CAPTION: June 2021

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Luton Supervision Framework	This chapter has been updated and replaces the previous chapter.
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.
Case Transfer Policy	This chapter has been updated locally to reflect local practice.
Public Law Outline Procedures and Guidance	A link has been added to Best practice guidance: Support for and work with families prior to court proceedings.
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities	Section 15, Resolving Disagreements has been updated to reference recent case-law holding that, as part of the mediation process, a parent/child/young person is entitled to bring along any supporter they wish, including a lawyer.
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 the Luton Joint Housing Protocol. Also a link has been added 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).
Safeguarding Children from Child Sexual Exploitation	Home Office NWG guidance documents have been added into Relevant Guidance and Information.
Holidays and School Trips in and Outside the UK	This chapter has been reviewed. It combines to replace the previous 2 chapters Holidays and School Trips In the UK And Holidays and School Trips Outside the UK.
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) 2020 (see Section 3.9, Planning for Release).
Recruitment, Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers	A revised link has been added to Prepare for a review panel: adopters and foster carers.
Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers	A revised link has been added to Prepare for a review panel: adopters and foster carers.
Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters	A revised 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.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Supporting Vulnerable Children and Families during COVID-19 Practice Guidance	This practice briefing from the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel sets out key findings and recommendations from a thematic analysis of Rapid Reviews relating to serious child safeguarding incidents reported to the Panel during the initial COVID-19 outbreak between March and September 2020.
Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983	This policy applies when a child or care leaver is discharged from hospital after having been detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.

January 2021

CAPTION: January 2021

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Protocol for the Channel Panel in Luton, Central Bedfordshire and Bedfordshire Borough	This document has been updated.
Whistleblowing	This document has been updated.
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery	Section 11, Further Information has been updated to include a link to Statutory Guidance Modern Slavery: How to Identify and Support Victims.
No Recourse to Public Funds	This chapter has been updated throughout and replaces the previous chapter.
Safeguarding Children from Child Sexual Exploitation	A link to the Home Office Child Exploitation Disruption Toolkit has been added.
Multi-Agency Gang Panel (MAGPan)	An updated version of the Multi-Agency Gang Panel (MAGPan) - Operating Protocol has been added.
Family and Friends Care	Local Guidance has been added in relation to Managing Regulation 24 Cases and Schedule 3.
Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds	Section 6, Placements of Children under the age of 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. The Luton Need to Know Notification local guidance has been added, see Scope of this Chapter.
A Joint Protocol to Reduce the Offending of Looked After Children and their Entry into the Criminal Justice System	This document has been updated.
Scheme of Delegation	This document has been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Capacity and Consent	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Storage of Data on Mobile Devices	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Agency Decision Making Process	This document has been added to the manual.

2020 Amendments

June 2020

CAPTION: June 2020

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Assessments	This chapter has been updated in line with the new digital referral system for reporting potential victims of Modern Slavery.
Recording Policy and Guidelines	This chapter has been amended to reflect the Ofsted Twitter Blog of 24/7/19 by Yvette Stanley, Ofsted's National Director for Social Care. The Blog highlights feedback from a number of inspections and explores what good recording should look like (Ofsted: developments in children's social care – What makes an effective case record?).
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities	An update has been made in Section 1, Principles to draw attention to OFSTED's advice that Local Authorities should exercise due diligence in ensuring schools for pupils with SEN are registered with the DFE. The same diligence should be exercised on behalf of pupils with SEN.
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery	This chapter has been updated to take account of the new NRM digital referral form to report Modern Slavery.
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 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.
Recruitment, 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	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.
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders	This chapter has been updated to reference and reflect the Family Justice Council: Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship, (Family Justice Council, May 2019) (see new Section 6.2, Special Guardianship applications in care proceedings).
Court Reports in Adoption/Special Guardianship Guidance	This chapter has been updated to note the Family Justice Council: Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship, (Family Justice Council, May 2019). See Section 3, Special Guardianship - Matters to be Dealt with in Report for the Court and final paragraphs 11 and 12.

2019 Amendments

December 2019

CAPTION: December 2019

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	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. Local Resources section has been updated to include links to the Luton Young People's Panel and Luton's Youth Participation website.
Supervision Guidance	This chapter has been revised throughout locally to reflect local guidance.
Step-Up and Step-Down	This chapter has been updated locally to reflect local practice.
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 Incident Notification System.
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery	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.
Safeguarding Children who Run Away or Go Missing	This chapter has been updated to add Pan Bedfordshire Safeguarding Children who go Missing from Home and Care Protocol and Return Home Interview Process.
Family and Friends Care	A link has been added in the Relevant Legislation and Guidance Section to Looking after someone else's child government guidance.
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.
Unregistered Schools Strategy	This strategy has been updated.
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).
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 (see Scope of this Chapter).
Notifications of Significant Events	This chapter has been reviewed and revised throughout.
Promoting the Education of Looked-After and Previously Looked After Children	This chapter has been reviewed and revised to reflect local practice and should be re-read throughout.
Health Care Assessments and Plans	The Luton Escalation Process for LAC referrals to Health flowchart has been added.
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).
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).
Local Contacts	These details have been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Luton Practice Standards Booklet	A link to the Luton Practice Standards Booklet has been added to the manual.
Family Safeguarding Workbook Policy	A link to the Family Safeguarding Workbook Policy has been added to the manual.
Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Condition in Long-Term Residential Settings	This chapter has been added as new, to reflect 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).
Luton's Virtual School Policy for Placing Children in Schools	This is a local policy which has been added as new into the Education section.
Removed Chapters
Vision Statement: Young People's Version; Practice Guidance and Risk Assessment Tool to Safeguard Children and Young People who are Sexually Abused through Exploitation; Child Sexual Exploitation Panel (CSEP) Operating Protocol; Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) - Operating Protocol; Young Carers Strategy; Model Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy for Schools and Education Services; Corporate Parenting Policy; Staying Put Policy; Staying Put Arrangement - Flowchart - 2014-2015; Fostering Service Contract Care Policy. The above Luton Policies are currently under review - see Local Resources.

March 2019

CAPTION: table_March 2019

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles	A new Section 2, Corporate Parenting has been added in response to the DfE, Applying Corporate Parenting Principles to Looked-after Children and Care Leavers – Statutory Guidance (Feb 2018). It includes the seven corporate parenting principles set out in the guidance.
Children's Consultation and Participation	This chapter has been reviewed and updated.
Assessments	This chapter has been revised to reflect updated guidance on Assessment in Working Together to Safeguard Children. Section 4, Communication has also been updated to include reference to parents with learning disabilities.
Luton Protocol for Single Assessments in Children's Social Care	This chapter has been reviewed and updated with the addition of a new Appendix B: What is a Single Assessment?
Caseload Policy	This chapter has been reviewed and updated.
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 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). It has also been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.
Case Records and Retention	Section 1, The Case Record has been updated in line with Adoption and Care Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018, which permits the transfer of a copy of the child's case record (or part of that record) to another adoption agency when the local authority considers this to be in the interests of the child.
Access to Records / Subject Access Requests	This chapter has been significantly updated throughout and should be re-read.
Confidentiality Policy	This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 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.
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.
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 completely revised and therefore should be read in it's entirety.
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.
Looked After Reviews	Section 9, The Role of the Looked After Review in Achieving Permanence for the Child has been amended to reflect the outcome of a High Court Judgement in respect of children who were subject to Section 20 and where there were concerns of significant delays in their planning for permanence. The court noted the IROs' recognition and action over a number of reviews but acknowledged that a more robust response had been needed.
Education of Looked After 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 also been added to the National Curriculum Assessments at Key Stage 2. In addition, the chapter reflects the statutory guidance Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) 2018, as it relates to Looked After Children and guidance regarding Data protection and safeguarding as set out in Data protection: a toolkit for schools (Open Beta: Version1.0) (August 2018).
Leaving Care and Transition	This chapter has been significantly updated throughout and should be re-read.
Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services	This chapter has been updated in relation to placing young people in custody, see Section 7.7, How to Request a Transfer or Placement Review.
Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody	This chapter has been updated in relation to placing young people in custody, see Section 3.8, How to Request a Transfer or Placement Review.
Adoption Panel	This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.
Adoption Support	This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance which require schools, through the Designated Teacher for Looked After Children, to offer support to previously looked after children. A previously looked-after child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales).
Adoption Reviews	Section 5, The Conduct of Adoption Reviews (bullet point 1.f) has been amended to reflect the status of adopted children as being 'previously looked after' when considering their educational needs. A link to DfE guidance on Promoting the Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After children has also been added.
Adoption Case Records	Section 3, Security, Retention and Sharing of Records has been updated in line with Adoption and Care Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018, which provides that an adoption agency may disclose an adoption case record to another adoption agency for purposes related to either agency's functions as an adoption agency. Further information has been added in relation to adoption records where an Adoption Order is not made.
Life Story Books Guidance	This chapter has been reviewed and updated.
Later Life Letters	This chapter has been reviewed and updated.
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.
Local Contacts	These details have been updated.
Scheme of Delegation	These details have been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Checklist for Cases coming up from Assessment Team	This PDF has been added to the manual.
Family Group Conference Service	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Chronology	This chapter has been added to the manual.
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 added to the manual.
Protocol for Forced Marriage	This PDF has been added to the manual.
PACE BEDS - Guidance for Luton YOS, Bedfordshire Police, Luton Borough Council & EDT Workers	This PDF has been added to the manual.
A Joint Protocol to Reduce the Offending of Looked After Children and their Entry into the Criminal Justice System	This PDF has been added to the manual.

2018 Amendments

September 2018

CAPTION: table_September 2018

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Early Help Strategy	This has been updated and covers the Early Help Strategy 2017-2020.
Supervision Guidance	This chapter has been extensively updated in particularly in relation to Family Safeguarding Teams.
Recording Timescale Framework for Children's Social Care: LCS Liquidlogic	This is a model framework for measuring the timeliness of recording from an event actually happening to when it is actually recorded on children's data systems, e.g. LCS Liquidlogic.
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery	This chapter has been substantially updated.
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).
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.
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.
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 updated to add clarification in relation to Qualifying Young People. See Definitions.
Luton Borough Council Fostering Statement of Purpose	This statement of purpose has been updated.
Inter Country Adoption	Section 8, Home Study has been updated to include a link to GOV.UK Benefits.
Local Contacts	This list of local contacts has been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Using Interpreters With Children and Families	This has been added to the manual.
Ofsted Complaints Protocol: Complaints About Schools from Ofsted Received By the LA	This has been added to the manual.
Fostering Service Smoking Policy	This has been added to the manual.

July 2018

CAPTION: table_July 2018

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Deprivation of Liberty	This chapter has been extensively updated and replaced with a link to this new resource.

March 2018

CAPTION: table_March 2018

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	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.
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities	A link has been added into Section 16, Further Information and Statutory Guidance to Carers Trust Professionals - Young Carer Assessment Tools.
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.
No Recourse to Public Funds (Disbenefitted Families)	A link has been added to NRPF Network - Securing British Citizenship for looked after children in the Relevant Guidance and Information section.
Business Process For Looked After Children's Reviews and Care Plan Monitoring	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. It replaces the previous chapter called Business Support Process for Child Protection Conferences.
Joint Protocol on Children Subject to Child Protection Plan Moving Between Local Authority Boundaries	This chapter has been updated.
Young Carers	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
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 (Section 8 Children and Social Work Act 2017 amends Section 31(3B) Children Act 1989) which a court is required to consider when deciding whether to make a Care Order.
Permanence Planning Guidance	Section 5, Assessing and Planning for Permanence has been updated to reflect the additional 'permanence provisions' of the Care Plan (under Section 8 Children and Social Work Act 2017 amends Section 31(3B) Children Act 1989) which a court is required to consider when deciding whether to make a Care Order.
Looked After Reviews	This chapter has been amended, to fully reflect the Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review and regulation 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).
Escalation of Concerns For Looked after Children and Safeguarding (including Dispute Resolution) Procedure	This chapter has been extensively updated and replaces the previously entitled chapter Safeguarding Alerts and Dispute Resolution Alerts for Looked after Children Procedure.
Change of Name of a Looked After Child	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Recruitment, 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 and Standard 14 (14.9) Fostering panels and the fostering service's decision-maker.
Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer Approval	Section 5, Variation to the Foster Carer's Terms of Approval has been updated to reflect that a decision to change a foster carer's terms of approval can now be implemented immediately (rather than after 28 days as was previously the case) if the foster carers provides written agreement to the change and there is a written statement concerning the foster family's support needs.
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). Section 1, Planning for Permanence has also 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.
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Local Contacts	This chapter has been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Need to Know Briefing	This form has been added to the manual.
Helping Homeless Young People	A simple guide to being looked after by Luton Borough Council. Helping homeless young people know what being looked after means and helping them make informed choices.
Deprivation of Liberty	This procedure should be used by practitioners working with children and young people under the age of 18, where a deprivation of liberty may be occurring. It applies to all social care practitioners carrying out any social care function with children who are receiving care or treatment in any setting.
Mental Capacity	This link has been added to the manual.
Fostering Service Contract Care Policy	The aim of the Contact Care Scheme is to provide specialist foster carers, who are able to offer a resilient, supportive and consistently nurturing foster placement to the most vulnerable children and young people in Luton, for a time limited period of intensive intervention.
Pace Fostering	PACE carers are approved under the Fostering regulations to provide a supervised overnight stay to PACE young people and only foster young people who have been assessed by a custody officer from a police station. Young people identified as posing a risk to the public will not be placed into overnight foster care under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE).

2017 Amendments

September 2017

CAPTION: table_September 2017

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Care Management and Resource Panel	This chapter has been updated reflect the outcome of a judgment following an application to remove a child at birth. The judge set out what were thought to be 'basic and good practice steps' (see Section 2, Considerations).
Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child In Need)	This chapter has been updated in line with the requirement to notify Ofsted of any serious childcare incident using the Ofsted online notification form.
Case Records and Retention	This chapter has been reviewed to note the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse requires all institutions to retain their records relating to the care of children for the duration of the Inquiry (see Section 2, Retention and Confidentiality of Records).
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities	This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a court judgement on Ordinary Residence that was included in DoH, Care and support statutory guidance (December 2016) (see Section 12, Funding Issues - Ordinary Residence). A link has been added into Related Guidance on SEND: 19- to 25-year-olds' entitlement to EHC plans (DfE 2017).
Short Breaks	A link has been added to Friendship For All (The Children's Society) in the Related National Guidance and Information section.
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation	This chapter has been updated in relation to Child Sexual Exploitation: Definition and Guide for Practitioners (DfE 2017).
Family and Friends Care	A link has been added in the Relevant Legislation and Guidance Section to Family Rights Group - Initial Family and Friends Care Assessment: A Good Practice Guide. This guide sets out best practice as to how viability assessments should be conducted.
Private Fostering	This chapter has been amended to add clarity to the definition of private fostering with regards to the legislation and children under 16 who spend more than 2 weeks in residence during holiday time in a school, see Section 1, Definition.
Decision to Look After and Care Planning	This chapter has been amended to reflect the outcome of an Appeal Court hearing (2017) with respect to 'consent'. The court recognized that the term 'consent' itself was not used in Section 20. However, it described previous court observations as 'good practice guidance', emphasizing its judgment should not alter the content or effect of these (see Section 1.3.1, Obtaining Parental Consent).
Placement Planning, Stability and Placement Disruption Meetings	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.
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.
Advocacy and Independent Visitors	This chapter has been updated to add a link to the Children's Society 'Advocacy services for children and young people – a guide for commissioners'. This guide outlines the legislative requirements of local authorities in the provision of advocacy support to children in need and looked after children.
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).
Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Health Care Assessments and Plans	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 Relevant Legislation and Guidance section.
Supervision and Support of Foster Carers	Section 5, Support Provided by the Supervising Social Worker (During Placement) has been updated to reflect that the Safer Caring Plan, any changes in household circumstances along with any health and safety issues including the addition of any new pets and the environment in which they are kept should be reviewed as required.
Allegations Against Foster Carers	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters	Section 5.3, Assessment 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.
Placement for Adoption	A link has been added to Contact After Adoption – Research in Practice in the Related Information section. This practical resource brings together knowledge from research and practice to support professionals to be reflective and explore their own assumptions, attitudes and values when developing contact plans.
Inter Country Adoption	In 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.
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders	This chapter has been substantially revised to reflect the most recent national Special Guardianship Guidance (January 2017) and should be re-read in full.
Local Contacts	This chapter has been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Children's Consultation and Participation	Children and young people should be enabled by professionals to participate in matters that affect them, particularly any plans or arrangements that will affect them and/or their family and should be consulted with regard to processes designed to improve services both to them individually and more generally.
Child Protection – Information Sharing System	Within Luton CP-IS will connect Liquidlogic children's social care system with those used by NHS unscheduled care settings, such as Accident and Emergency, walk-in centres and maternity units. It ensures that health and care professionals are notified when a vulnerable CP/CLA child is treated at an unscheduled care setting.
Business Support Process For Child Protection Conferences	This chapter deals with timescales and the associated documentation.
Children With a Child Protection Plan Moving to Another Local Authority Area	This guidance should be followed as soon as a child with a Child Protection Plan goes to stay in another area, even on a temporary basis, to ensure the local authority has a record of all children with Child Protection Plans in their area.
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.
Safeguarding Alerts and Dispute Resolution Alerts for Looked after Children Procedure	While formal processes exist these should not replace professional dialogue. It is expected that the reviewing processes and professional discussion should be utilised to resolve issues before a formal alert is raised, unless the risk is such that to do so would place a child at risk.

May 2017

CAPTION: table_May 2017

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Early Help Strategy	This chapter has been updated.
Contacts and Referrals	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Protocol for the Channel Panel in Luton, Central Bedfordshire and Bedfordshire Borough	This chapter has been updated.
Care Management and Resource Panel	This chapter has been updated.
Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child In Need)	Section 1.3 has been added which states Form B as detailed in Working Together to Safeguard Children will need to be completed and returned to the Designated Person for Child Death Notifications as per the LSCB policy, within 3 weeks. This form outlines the Local Authority involvement with the family to date and is collated from each agency by the Designated Person for Child Death Notifications. (LSCB policy). It will be circulated by the Designated Person for Child Death Notifications.
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.
Direct Payments	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
No Recourse to Public Funds (Disbenefitted Families)	Section 8, Procedures for Working with Families with No Recourse to Public Funds, has been updated to reflect that The Immigration Officers advice will be sought and if the MASH Officer considers that there is a possibility of, or evidence to suggest that there are Child In Need concerns or the potential for Child In Need concerns, an assessment can be considered. Any assessment work will be carried out jointly between the Immigration Worker and the relevant Neighbourhood Team.
Children Missing from Education	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Multi-Agency Gang Panel (MAGPan)	An updated version of the Multi-Agency Gang Panel (MAGPan) – Operating Protocol has been added. The Multi-Agency Gang Panel (MAGPan) – Operating Guidance has been added as a new document.
Decision to Look After and Care Planning	A link has been added to ADCS/Cafcass Practice Guidance for the Use of Section 20 in the Related Guidance section.
Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing Officers	A link has been added to ADCS/Cafcass Agreement about how local authorities and Cafcass can work effectively in a set of care proceedings and pre-proceedings in the English Family Courts.
Education of Looked After Children	A link has been added to the Mental Health Behaviour in Schools Guidance (DfE 2016) in the Related Guidance section.
Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters	Information has been added to Section 4, Fostering for Adoption, with regards to 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.
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders	Section 2, Who May Apply? has been updated to reflect that any other person (including the child and other than a parent) may apply for a Special Guardianship Order if he has obtained the leave of the court to make the application except a person who is, or was at any time within the last 6 months, a local authority foster parent of a child may not apply for leave to apply for an SGO unless (s)he has the consent of the local authority, or (s)he is a relative of the child or the child has lived with him for at least one year preceding the application.
Local Contacts	This chapter has been updated.
Scheme of Delegation	This chapter has been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Public Law Outline Procedures and Guidance	This chapter has been added to the manual, it replaces the previous chapter Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline.
East of England Region Joint Protocol on Supervision Orders	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Recording Timescale Framework for Children's Social Care: LCS Liquidlogic	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Elective Home Education (EHE) Policy	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Unregistered Schools Strategy	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Removed Chapters
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline.

2016 Amendments

January 2016

CAPTION: table_January 2016

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Supervision Guidance	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Permanence Planning for Looked After Children	This chapter has been updated to reflect the Statutory Guidance The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review.
Children and Young People Aged 0 -25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities - under review	Section 13, Young Carers and Parental Carers of Disabled Children has been added. Care and Support Statutory Guidance (DOH, October 2014) and The Young Carer's (Needs Assessment) Regulations (DOE, March 2015) have been added to the Related Guidance section. This chapter is currently under review.
Short Breaks	In Section 7, Short Break Settings, revised links to new Quality Standards for Children's Homes and Care Quality Commission (CQC) have been added.
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children - under review	In Section 3, Assessment, a link to "good practice documents produced by the ADCS Asylum Task Force who worked with the Home Office has been added.
No Recourse to Public Funds (Disbenefitted Families) Policy and Guide to Procedures	This Policy will ensure a consistent response to people who request a service, irrespective of the department to which they initially present to.
Placements in Foster Care	This chapter has been updated to reflect the Statutory Guidance The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. A new Section 6, Long-Term Foster Placements has been added.
Looked After Reviews	This chapter has been updated to include the requirements of The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review.
Physical Intervention	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Allegations Against Foster Carers	A link to the Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton Safeguarding Children Boards Procedures Manual, Managing Allegations and Concerns about Adults who work with Children? Practice Guidance for LADO's has been added.
Social Worker Visits	This chapter has been updated to reflect the revised visiting requirements in respect of long term foster placements as set out in The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review.
Representations	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Performance Management and Quality Assurance Framework	This framework provides a simple approach to performance management at corporate level and sets expectations for departments within the Council to maintain their own operational performance framework (with corporate support) in line with their own plans and any specialist national frameworks which may be in existence.
Early Help Strategy 2014-2017	The Strategy explains what is meant by Early Help, identifies the local needs of children and families in Luton, sets out the priorities for service development, and describes the process by which services will be planned, commissioned and delivered.
Threshold Framework -Meeting the Needs of Children and Young People and Their Families in Luton (Luton Safeguarding Children Board)	This guidance for threshold of need and intervention is a vital tool that underpins the local vision to provide targeted support services at the earliest opportunity - right through to specialist and statutory interventions when it is needed to promote the welfare and safety of vulnerable children and young people. It aims to offer a clear framework and a common understanding of thresholds of need for practitioners within all agencies, to help to promote a shared awareness of the different interventions required to effectively support children, young people and their families or carers.
Written Agreements with Families - Guidance for Practitioners	This guidance is intended to assist practitioners in drawing up such agreements, in the exceptional circumstances in which these become necessary.
Step Up Step Down	The purpose of this internal procedure is to ensure the right service is delivered at the right time, by providing timely support.
Protocol for the Channel Panel in Luton, Central Bedfordshire and Bedfordshire Borough	This guidance is specifically aimed at members and partners involved in the local Channel Panel and process. The Channel Police Practitioner and the (Luton) Local Authority Chair are key participants in the Channel process; developing a strong working relationship between partners is vital to the success of Channel.
Corporate Parenting Policy	This policy sets out how the Local Authority and its partners in Luton fulfil their duties as corporate parents to children in care.
Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton Safeguarding Children Boards Procedures Manual, Managing Allegations and Concerns about Adults who work with Children? Practice Guidance for LADO's	The aim of this document is to enable agencies to work effectively together in the process of managing allegations or concerns against adults who work with children. This is a joint protocol between Luton, and Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedfordshire Police. The protocol should be used in conjunction with the Bedfordshire and Luton LSCB Allegations Management Procedures.

2015 Amendments

August 2015

CAPTION: table_August 2015

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Luton Protocol for Single Assessments in Children's Social Care	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 Related Information section.
Decision to Look After	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Children from Abroad - Data Sharing with UK Visas and Immigration	This chapter has been updated with regards to the Independent Family Returns Panel.
Placement with Parents	Section 1.8, Ending of Placement has been updated to take account of recent case law.
Out of Area Placements	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Holidays and School/Organisational Trips Outside the UK	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Luton Contact Guidance	A link has been added to 'The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review' in the Related Guidance section.
Supervision and Support of Foster Carers	A link has been added to the Transfer of Foster Carers Protocol in the Related Information section.
Intermediary Services	Section 1, Introduction has been added and Section 3, Who May Apply for Intermediary Services has been updated.
Leaving Care	An updated link to The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 3: Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers has been added in the Related Guidance section.
Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody	The contact details for the Youth Justice Board Head Office have been updated at Section 3.6, Young people serving long sentences.
Countering of Bullying	A link has been added to Advice for Parents and Carers on Cyberbullying In the Related Information section.
Monitoring Quality	This chapter has been extensively updated and has been previously called Regulation 33.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
The International Child Abduction and Contact Unit	This document has been added and details the role of the The International Child Abduction and Contact Unit.
Short Breaks Service Statement	A link to this statement has been added to the manual.

February 2015

CAPTION: table_February 2015

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Permanence Planning for Looked After Children	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.
Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers	This chapter has been updated and should be re read throughout.
Placements in Secure Accommodation	A link has been added to Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities on Court Orders and Pre-Proceedings (2014).
Out of Area Placements	This chapter has been updated and should be re read throughout.
Education of Looked After Children	This chapter has been updated and should be re read throughout.
Luton Contact Guidance	This guidance deals with issues such as the legal context, assessment of a child's contact needs, planning for contact and review of arrangements.
Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read in its entirety.
Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read in its entirety.
Assessment and Approval of 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: Fostering for Adoption (Sections 1 and 5.5); Adoption Register (Section 9, After the Panel Recommendation); Duty to provide information on adoption support services (Sections 1 and 2); Ethnicity (Section 15.2).
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.
Leaving Care	This chapter has been updated in line with Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 3: Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers. Young People Resuming Education or Training After 21 (new Section 4) ) and Access to Records (new Section 7) have been added.
Access to Case Records	This chapter has been updated in line with Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 3: Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers. A new Section 8, Applications by Care Leavers has been added.
Life Story Books	Section 3, Foster Carers / Residential Staff, 4 Using the Life Story Book and 5, Children who are Adopted have been added.
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: The duty to consider Fostering for Adoption placements; The removal of the requirement to give due consideration to a child's religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background when matching a child and prospective adopters; Post-adoption contact; Placing of siblings.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Safeguarding Children from Child Sexual Exploitation	A link has been added to the Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton Safeguarding Children Boards Procedures Manual chapter.
Applications for Emergency Protection Orders	This chapter details information including decision to apply for an EPO, preparation and hearing the application.
Public Law Outline - Procedure and Guidance	This chapter details information including pre-proceedings and starting care or supervision proceedings and the documentation required. It reflects the overhaul of the family justice system in 2014. Key to these changes is the expectation that care proceedings will be completed within 26 weeks.
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. For the purposes of the Act, 'young person' is someone aged 16-25.
Direct Payments	This chapter covers areas including, what is a direct payment, eligibility, monitoring and review and when payments may cease.
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children	This chapter describes the particular issues arising in referrals involving young unaccompanied asylum seekers.
Families with No Recourse to Public Funds	This chapter covers areas including who are families with no recourse to public funds and the role of the Local Authority.
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.
Savings Procedure for Children Looked After for Short and Long Term Savings	The purpose of this policy is to ensure all looked after children and young people in the care of Luton Borough Council have the opportunity to develop financial capability skills and have savings available to them when they leave care.