Amendments

July 2024

Caption: July 2024

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles	This chapter has been revised in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023.
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline	Information has been added in relation to family group decision-making in Section 1, Introduction and Time Limits and Section 5, Pre-Proceedings.
Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24)	Tthis chapter has been updated in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children. New Section 3, Death of a Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24 has been added.
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities	Section 15, Resolving Disagreements has been updated to include information on Guidance: Carry Out an Order in Special Educational Needs Cases.
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery	A link has been added in Section 4, Assessment to BASW Age Assessment Practice Guidance. In Further Information, a link has been added to Operation Innerste Process: Caseworker Guidance.
Placements with Connected Persons	Minor revisions have been made throughout this chapter.
Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds	Section 10, Use of Inherent Jurisdiction to Authorise a Placement Involving a Deprivation of Liberty has been updated throughout in line with Revised Practice Guidance on the Court’s Approach to Unregistered Placements (October 2023) and Revised National Listing Protocol for Applications that Seek Deprivation of Liberty Orders Relating to Children under the Inherent Jurisdiction.
Notifications of Significant Events	This chapter has been updated in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children, to note that notifications should also be made of the death of a care leaver up to and including the age of 24.
Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After Children	This chapter has been revised in response to Working Together to Safeguard Children (December 2023), and includes the ongoing development of the strategic leadership roles of Virtual School Heads (VSH) in promoting educational outcomes for children aged 0 to 18 who have, or previously had a social worker, and children in kinship care arrangements.
Staying Put	This chapter has been updated to note that if a young person in a Staying Put arrangement dies up to and including the age of 24, notifications should be made in accordance with the procedure on Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need).
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders	This chapter has been updated. Information has been added into Section 17, Special Guardian Duty on the Death of the Child, that the relevant local authority should be notified if the child was previously a looked after child.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National Framework	This chapter has been added to the manual.

Next Update: January 2025

2024 Amendments

January 2024

Caption: January 2024

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline	Information has been added on Care Orders and Supervision Orders for a child on a care plan when the child remains at home in line with the Public Law Working Group (PLWG) Recommendations to Achieve Best Practice in the Child Protection and Family Justice Systems: Supervision Orders.
Protect (previously Public Concern at Work)	This link has been updated – please note that Public Concern At Work is now known as Protect.
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.
Families with No Recourse to Public Funds	The section on 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.
Young Carers	This chapter has been revised throughout to acknowledge the distinction between care and support needs. Additional information has been added regarding transition and moving areas.
Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983	The information on Ordinary Residence has been updated in line with case law.
Placements in Residential Care	This chapter has been updated to include information from Guidance - Placing Children: Deprivation of Liberty Orders - guidance for providers, social workers and placement commissioners on placing children, subject to a deprivation of liberty order (DoL), in unregistered settings; and President of the Family Division Practice Guidance: Placements in Unregistered Children’s Homes in England or Unregistered Care Home Services in Wales.
Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds	The information on the Use of Inherent Jurisdiction to Authorise a Placement Involving a Deprivation of Liberty was updated to include information from Guidance - Placing Children: Deprivation of Liberty Orders - guidance for providers, social workers and placement commissioners on placing children, subject to a deprivation of liberty order (DoL), in unregistered settings.
Placements in Other Arrangements	This chapter has been updated to reflect the latest revised OFSTED guidance.
Health and Safety	Additional information has been added on online safety.
Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After Children	This chapter replaces one previously entitled Education of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After Children.
Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters	This chapter has been revised throughout and a link added to National Early Permanence Practice Standards (Coram Centre for Early Permanence).

2023 Amendments

July 2023

Caption: July 2023

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Capacity and Consent	This chapter has been amended in line with case law in relation to assessing legal capacity.
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).
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). A link has also been added to Pre-proceedings and Family Justice Hub (Research in Practice).
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	Information has been added into the section on age assessment in relation to the role of the National Age Assessment Board.
Decision to Look After	The information regarding the use of 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).
Placements in Other Arrangements	This chapter has been updated throughout to reflect supported accommodation for 16 – 17 year old becoming regulated by Ofsted.
Health and Safety	This chapter has been amended to add information in relation to allergies.
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 because the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 will raise the age of marriage and civil partnership to 18 in England and Wales.
Leaving Care and Transition	This chapter has been updated in recognition of Ofsted have added a separate judgement and evaluation criteria on ‘the experiences and progress of care leavers’, for implementation from January 2023.
Allegations Against Foster Carers	This chapter has been amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education. With information on the Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern.
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. With information on the Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern.
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 Name	Details
Ofsted Inspection Framework	This chapter is for information and has links to the Ofsted inspection frameworks for various social care services.
Removed Chapters
Children and Young People's Plan Jan 2018 - Jan 2022; Middlesbrough Council Children and Young People's Participation Strategy 2018-2020; Local Contacts; List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers.

January 2023

Caption: January 2023

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline	This chapter has been amended throughout in line with Management Guidance in Public Law Child Cases.
Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983	This chapter has been amended to refer to Guidance issued by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman and the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. A link has been added to NICE guidance on Self-Harm: Assessment, Management and Preventing Re-Occurrence.
Placements Outside England and Wales	Section 3, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Guernsey has been updated in line with the Cross-Border Placements regulations.
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 supervises observations of the contact must be clearly recorded in the child’s record and shared with the parents within three months of the visit.
Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management	This chapter has been revised to incorporate OFSTED feedback; additional information has been added regarding positive behaviour support and the recording of sanctions.
Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services	The section on Looked After Children who are arrested has been updated in relation to appropriate adults.
Recruitment, Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters	This chapter has been revised with additional information about recruitment and responding to initial enquiries.
Adoption Panel	This chapter has been revised with additional information about the purpose and function of the Adoption Panel and Adoption Panel Membership.
Placement for Adoption	This chapter has minor revisions to the text for clarification.
Adoption Support	This chapter has minor revisions to the text for clarification.
Disruption of Adoptive Placements	The information on unplanned endings to placements has been revised.
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders	This chapter has been updated 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. The section on Placement before Special Guardianship Order is made, was added in line with guidance that states where there is no pre- existing relationship between the child and special guardians the child should be placed on an interim basis before the special guardianship order is made.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Adoption Tees Valley	A link to the regional adoption agency has been added to Part 5.2, Adoption and Permanence Services.

2022 Amendments

July 2022

Caption: July 2022

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline	This chapter has been revised throughout.
Legal Gateway/Planning Meetings	This chapter has been revised throughout.
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities	Section 14, 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 updated to reflect the National Transfer Scheme being mandated.
Decision to Look After	This chapter has been revised throughout.
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 to reference Public Law Working Group Best Practice Guidance: the Application and Case Management.
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	This chapter has been updated.. Section 10, Use of Inherent Jurisdiction to Authorise a Placement Involving a Deprivation of Liberty has been updated.
Education of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After Children	This chapter has been revised throughout.
Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management	This chapter has been revised throughout.
Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint	This chapter has been revised throughout.
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 Box.)
Fostering Panel	This chapter has been revised throughout.
Allegations Against Foster Carers	This chapter has been revised throughout.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Equality and Diversity	This chapter has been added to the procedures manual.
Care Planning	This chapter has been added to the procedures manual.
Risk Assessment and Planning	This chapter has been added to the procedures manual.
Providing Personalised Care	This chapter has been added to the procedures manual.
Health and Safety	This chapter has been added to the procedures manual.
Leisure Activities	This chapter has been added to the procedures manual.
Training and Development of Foster Carers	This chapter has been added to the procedures manual.

January 2022

Caption: January 2022

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Capacity and Consent	Section 4.3, Consent to the Use of Medication to Suppress Puberty has been updated and a new Section 5.4, Consent to Life-ending Withdrawal of Medical Support has been added to reflect High Court judgments. Section 2.1, Consent to Information Sharing has been updated to reflect revisions contained in the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline	This chapter has been updated to reflect Practice Guidance on Special Guardianship (Family Justice Council) and to include information in relation to pre-birth assessments and planning where the mother has learning disabilities.
Complaints and Representations	This chapter has been amended to reflect the Children's Statutory Complaint Process: Guide for Practitioners (Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman) (see Relevant Guidance).
Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations	This chapter has been revised throughout.
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities	This chapter has been refreshed and updated and includes links to related reports from the House of Commons Library (see Section 15, 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 revised throughout.
Relinquished Children	This chapter has been updated to reflect case-law 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	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.
Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation	Information in relation to children under the age of 16 being placed in 'other arrangements' placements has been added into Section 3, Local Authority Accommodation.
Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers	A new Section 7.4, Consent to Life-ending Withdrawal of Medical Support has been added to reflect a High Court judgment.
Advocacy and Independent Visitors	This chapter has been refreshed throughout.
Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children	Information has been added on the School Admission Code in Section 6, When a Child Needs or Joins a New School.
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.
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders	This chapter has been revised to reflect Practice Guidance on Special Guardianship published by the Family Justice Council. See Section 6.2, Special Guardianship applications in care proceedings and new Section 16, Special Guardianship Orders in International Cases. Information on the School Admission Code has been added into Section 12, The Special Guardianship Support Plan.
Local Contacts	Children & Young People with Disabilities Team (name and contact details for team that provides services to disabled children) has been updated.
List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers	This chapter has been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983	This chapter has been added to the procedures manual.
Placements in Other Arrangements	This chapter has been added to the procedures manual.

2021 Amendments

July 2021

Caption: July 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 been added in relation to NICE Quality Standard: Decision-Making and Mental Capacity.
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities	This chapter has been amended. Section 14, Resolving Disagreements has been updated to reference recent case-law holding that, as part of the mediation process, a parent/child/young person is entitled to bring along any supporter they wish, including a lawyer.
Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds	This chapter has been updated. A new Section 10, Use of Inherent Jurisdiction to Authorise a Placement Involving a Deprivation of Liberty has been added. Contact details have been updated in Section 6, Placements of Children under the Age of 13 Years. In Section 9.1, Support and Monitoring of Placements, visiting frequency has been amended to every 4 weeks (previously 6 weeks).
Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children	This chapter has been updated to reflect changes from the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children. Minor amendments have been made to the bullet points in Section 8.1, Child protection policy and procedures.
Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK	This chapter has been revised throughout.
Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records	This chapter has been refreshed throughout and information added on applying for a copy of a birth certificate online.
Local Contacts	This chapter has been updated throughout.
List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers	This chapter has been updated.

2020 Amendments

December 2020

Caption: December 2020

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Complaints and Representations	This chapter has been refreshed throughout.
Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff	This chapter has been updated to add links to additional guidance.
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.
Families with No Recourse to Public Funds	This chapter has been refreshed throughout.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children	In Section 7, Appealing Decisions - the address for the First Tier Tribunal has been updated.
Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds	Section 6, Placements of Children under 13 years has been updated following publication of revised DfE guidance.
Notifications of Significant Events	This chapter has been refreshed throughout.
Leaving Care and Transition	In Section 9.3, The 16-19 Bursary Fund and Higher Education Bursary, the link has been updated to guidance Education and Skills Funding Agency: 16 to 19 education: financial support for students.

September 2020

Caption: September 2020

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers	This chapter has been updated.

June 2020

Caption: June 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.
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.
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.
Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children	This chapter has been given a general refresh throughout.
Allegations Against Foster Carers	This chapter has been reviewed and refreshed, and terminology has been updated where required.
List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers	This chapter has been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Capacity and Consent	This chapter offers guidance in relation to the various situations in which consent is likely to be sought, with reference to previous legal judgments.
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.
Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff	This chapter is designed to highlight some of the issues to be considered, with links to additional information.

2019 Amendments

December 2019

Caption: December 2019

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Children's Consultation and Participation	A link has been added to the Middlesbrough Council Children and Young People's Participation Strategy 2018-2020.
Contacts and Referrals	This chapter has been updated throughout in line with local practice.
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline	This chapter has been updated to reference and note the Family Court Justice Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship, Courts and Tribunals Judiciary (May 2019). (See Section 1, Introduction). Links have been added to local guidance in Local Resources. Section 2, Pre-Proceedings Under the Public Law Outline (PLO) – Guidance has been updated throughout in line with local practice.
Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need)	This chapter has been revised throughout to reflect revised arrangements for reporting a serious incident to the Panel via the Child Safeguarding Incident Notification System.
Private Fostering	A link has been added to additional local information in Local Resources.
Placements with Parents	A link has been added to additional local information in Local Resources.
Placements with Connected Persons	Appendix 1: Flowchart for Placements for Connected Persons, has been added.
Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds	The links to application forms C1 and C20 have been updated.
Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews	This chapter has been reviewed and updated. The requirement for clear separation of reviews (for clarifying whether the criteria for keeping a child in secure accommodation are met, and the child's looked after review) has been emphasised. Clarifying whether the criteria for keeping a child in secure accommodation are met must come before a LAC review so the decision can inform the LAC review and they must be chaired by different individuals.
Notifications of Significant Events	This chapter has been revised throughout.
Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers	This chapter has been amended. A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: Information Sheets.
Supervision and Support of Foster Carers	This chapter has been updated in December 2019 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). Section 5, Support Provided by the Supervising Social Worker - During Placement has been updated in line with local practice in relation to Disclosure and Barring Service checks and medical assessment of carers (bullet points 31 and 32).
Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers	A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: Information Sheets.
Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters	This chapter has been amended to remove references to the Adoption Register. A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: Information Sheets.
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders	This chapter has been updated to reference and reflect the Family Court Justice Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship, Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, (see new section 6.2, Special Guardianship applications in care proceedings).
Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship Guidance	This chapter has been updated to note the Family Court Justice Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship, Courts and Tribunals Judiciary (May 2019). See Section 3, Special Guardianship - Matters to be Dealt with in Report for the Court and final Sections 11 and 12.
Local Contacts	This chapter has been updated throughout.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Children and Young People's Plan Jan 2018 – Jan 2022	This local guidance has been added.
Allocation of Work and Transfer between Teams	This local guidance Transfer Principles and Protocol, and Transfer Transitional Arrangements Agreement – October 2019 have been added.
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).
Gateway, Monitoring & Review Panel - Terms of Reference	This local guidance has been added.

July 2019

Caption: July 2019

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Children's Consultation and Participation	The Related Guidance section has been updated to add supporting resources.
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. In addition, a new subsection of Section 4.1, Local Authority Documentation provides further detail on the importance of recording information on the Care Plan which will help the child, parent or the child's carer understand why decisions have been or are being made. The chapter has also been amended to reflect HHJ Greensmith's comments regarding M and N (Children: Local authority gathering, preserving and disclosing evidence) [2018] EWFC 40 (1 June 2018)).
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.
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.
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 links to statutory guidance and to the Guide to the duty to refer including the referral process. The duty to refer was brought in by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
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. A new Section 7, Tracking of Permanence Plans has been added. Section 1.1, The Decision has been updated in relation to the authorisation process.
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.
Permanence Planning Guidance	This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance. These changes relate to the status of 'previously looked after children'.
Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation	This chapter has been updated in relation to placing young people in custody.
Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children	This chapter has been amended to include a link to the Leaving Care and Transition Procedure in relation to Personal Adviser visits to 'Relevant' or 'Former Relevant' young people. 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.
Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children	This chapter has been revised throughout in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017.
Leaving Care and Transition	Amendments have been made in: Section 5, Leaving Care Assessment of Need - in relation to children who are victims of trafficking or unaccompanied asylum seeking children; Section 7, Reviews of Pathway Plans - in relation to Relevant/Former Relevant young people moving to 'unregulated' accommodation; and Section 8, Personal Advisers - in relation to frequency of visits by Personal Advisers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Removed Chapters
Practice Standards Guidance; Supervision Policy and Guidance; Induction to Service; Case File Record Keeping, Recording Policy and Guidance; Case File Audits.

2018 Amendments

November 2018

Caption: November 2018

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles	A new Section 3, 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.
Assessments	Section 4, Communication has been updated to include reference to parents with learning disabilities.
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline	This chapter has been updated to provide some emphasis on parents who lack capacity and added links to the President of the Family Division, Family Proceedings: Parents with a Learning Disability note, and a relevant link to working with parents who have a learning disability, (see Section 2, Pre-proceedings).
Whistleblowing	Links have been added to: Raising Concerns at Work; Whistleblowing Helpline - Speak Up; Public Concern at Work.
Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need)	This chapter has been updated. 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.
Access to Records / Subject Access Requests	This chapter has been reviewed and updated in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.
Confidentiality Policy	This chapter has been reviewed and updated in line with the General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.
Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations	This chapter has been reviewed and updated in line with the General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery	This chapter has been refreshed throughout, and additional information added in relation to trafficking and modern slavery.
Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 Year Olds who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation	This link has been updated.
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.
Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds	This chapter has been updated to 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).
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.
Leaving Care and Transition	This chapter has been reviewed and updated in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018, and the Children and Social Work Act 2017.
Adoption Panel	This chapter has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.
Inter Country Adoption	Section 8, Home Study has been updated to include a link to GOV.UK Benefits.
Adoption Case Records	Section 3, Security Retention and Sharing of Records has been updated in line with the Adoption and Care Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018, which provide that an adoption agency may disclose an adoption case record to another adoption agency for purposes related to either agency's functions as an adoption agency. Further information has been added in relation to adoption records where an Adoption Order is not made.
Life Story Books Guidance	This chapter has been reviewed.
Later Life Letters	This chapter has been given a general refresh throughout.
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders	This chapter has 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 Related National Guidance section of this chapter.
Local Contacts	This chapter has been updated throughout.
List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers	This chapter has been updated throughout.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Family and Friends Carers (Kinship Care) Policy Guidance	The purpose of this policy is to set out Middlesbrough Borough Council's approach to Family and Friends Carers.
Child Arrangements Order and Residence Order Allowance Policy	The purpose of this policy is to set out Middlesbrough Borough Council's approach to Child Arrangements Order Allowances.
Special Guardianship Order Allowance Policy	The purpose of this policy is to set out Middlesbrough Borough Council's approach to Special Guardianship Order Allowances.