Using this Manual

1. About this Manual

This procedures manual contains all the policies and procedures for Middlesbrough Children's Services.

THIS REPLACES ALL PREVIOUS PROCEDURES MANUALS, WHICH MUST NO LONGER BE USED.

These procedures use the word ‘must’ where the provision is a legal requirement. The word ‘should’ is used where the provision should be complied with but is not a legal requirement, such as where it is taken from non-statutory government guidance or accepted good practice.

2. Amendments

This manual will be updated on a regular basis and a summary of the changes can be accessed via the 'Amendments' button on the Home page. You will also find the detail of the next planned manual update in this section.

The next updated version of the procedures manual will be live online in January 2025.

Please let us know if there is something that needs to be added or changed. There is a dedicated email address to alert us to this (tri.x@middlesbrough.gov.uk), please note this email address is not managed daily but is the regular review method by which all changes and updates will be made.

3. Local Resources

This manual contains a local resource section which can be accessed via the navigation bar. This library is populated and maintained locally. If there is a resource that you think should be added talk in the first instance to your manager, or email tri.x@middlesbrough.gov.uk

4. Glossary and National Contacts

The manual is accessed by readers who may find terms that they are not familiar with. Therefore, a glossary of definitions is available under the resource tab.

5. Searching the Manual

This search engine works slightly differently from the ones you are most familiar with on the Internet, but if you follow a few simple rules it will provide an accurate and thorough search of the procedures manual and attached documents.

To search for an exact phrase, put the phrase inside double quotes, for example: "significant harm"

This search engine is very precise and it will not usually find words that have been misspelled. If you are unsure of the correct way to spell a word, use the asterisk as a “wildcard” for the part of the word you are unsure of. For example typing in “accessment” will not produce any results, but a**esment will find all references to Assessments.

You can also use an asterisk to represent part of a word; for example, a search for: adopt* will find 'adopt', 'adoption', 'adoptive' etc.

You can enter multiple words and phrases, and you can search for pages containing 'any' or 'all' of the search terms by selecting the appropriate selection button.

If you are still having problems with the use of the search engine please contact tri.x or call (024) 7667 8053 for further advice.

6. Regulatory Compliance

Every effort has been taken to ensure regulatory compliance. If you discover any errors or omissions, please alert your manager.

7. Register for Updates

We recommend that you register with us to automatically receive notification when this manual is updated, and to receive a monthly newsletter containing articles which may be of interest. Click on the 'Register for Updates' button on the home screen, to complete and send your details to us.

We will manage your data respectfully and in accordance with your preferences and we will never share your data with other organisations for marketing or other purposes.

8. Copyright

The content of this website can be accessed, printed and downloaded in an unaltered form, on a temporary basis, for personal study or reference purposes. Content printed or downloaded may not be sold, licensed, transferred, copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner or in or on any media to any person without the prior written consent of tri.x and Middlesbrough Council.

9. Accessibility

This website aims to achieve Double-A conformance to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines in accordance with government guidelines. In order to change font size or manual colour use the highlighted 'Accessibility' button at the top right hand corner of any page.

We have also taken steps to ensure that our site configuration supports the accessibility features of the recommended browsers (see below).

Each browser has different functions, and there is guidance available online about how to use these functions:

Click here to read Guidance on Accessibility Features for Internet Explorer 11.

Click here to read Guidance on Accessibility Features for Microsoft Edge.

Click here to read Guidance on Accessibility Features for Google Chrome. 

Click here to read Guidance on Accessibility Features for Mozilla Firefox.

Click here to read Guidance on Accessibility Features for Apple Safari.

10. Printing and Retaining Copies

The Manual is intended to be viewed on line to ensure only the most up-to-date version of procedures are being used. Where hard copies are needed, all chapters are able to be printed using the icon in the top right hand corner.

11. Browser Recommendations

It is recommended that this manual is viewed with the latest browsers, with Java Script and cookies enabled for maximum compatibility and functionality.

Recommended browsers are:

• Internet Explorer 11 (Windows 7, 8 and 8.1);
• Microsoft Edge (Windows 10);
• Google Chrome;
• Mozilla Firefox;
• Apple Safari.

12. Mobile/Tablet Compatibility

This manual has been tested on a variety of mobile devices to ensure that it displays correctly. If you are using an older mobile device it is possible that the manual will not display correctly.

If you would like the text to be larger, resize the text under the accessibility options, alternatively if you would also like the buttons and the rest of the layout to be enlarged you can use the zoom function within your browser.