Amendments
November 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. |
| Children's Consultation and Participation | This chapter has been updated. Minor amendments have been made in line with local practice. |
| Capacity and Consent | Amendments have been made to reflect local terminology. |
| Contacts and Referrals | This chapter has been revised throughout in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Assessments | This chapter has been revised throughout in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47) | This chapter has been revised throughout in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Child in Need Plans and Reviews | This chapter has been updated. Minor amendments have been made in line with local practice. |
| Applications for Emergency Protection Orders | Minor amendments have been made in line with local terminology. |
| Recording Policy and Guidelines | This chapter has been amended. |
| Child’s Records and Retention | This chapter has been updated. |
| Access to Child/Young Person’s Records / Subject Access Requests | Minor amendments have been made in line with local terminology. |
| Confidentiality Policy | Links to further information have been updated. |
| 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. |
| Personal Budgets and Direct Payments | This chapter has been refreshed throughout. |
| 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. |
| Kinship Care | This chapter has been updated to reflect Championing Kinship Care: The National Kinship Care Strategy. |
| Relinquished Children | Links to national guidance have been updated. |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | This chapter has been refreshed throughout. |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National Framework | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
| Family Networks and Family Group Decision Making | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
| Removed Chapters | |
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| Next Update: May 2025 |
May 2024
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | Additional links have been added in the Relevant Guidance section and information has been added in relation to family group decision-making in Section 1, Introduction and Time Limits and Section 5, Pre-Proceedings. |
| Legal Gateway Panel | This chapter has been amended in line with local practice and terminology. |
| Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Cared For, Child In Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24) | This chapter has been updated in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children. New Section 5, 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 | 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. |
| Young Carers | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | Section 2, Ordinary Residence has been updated in line with case law. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | Section 10, Use of Inherent Jurisdiction to Authorise a Placement Involving a Deprivation of Liberty has been updated 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. |
| Health and Safety | Additional information has been added about online safety. |
| 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, Cared For and Previously Cared For Children | This chapter has been revised throughout, including 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, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24). |
| Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Local Contacts | This chapter has been revised throughout. |
November 2023
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Capacity and Consent | Amendments have been made to reflect case-law in relation to assessing legal capacity. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | Information has been added into Section 4, Care Orders and Supervision 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. |
| Access to Records / Subject Access Requests | Additional information has been added into Relevant Guidance. |
| 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). Information in relation to legal aid for foster carers and prospective adoptive parents in First Tier Tribunal appeals has been added into Section 15, Resolving Disagreements. |
| Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings | This chapter has been updated to include information from the UK Social Work Practice in Safeguarding Disabled Children and Young People report. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | Information has been added into Section 4, Assessment in relation to the National Age Assessment Board. 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 | Additional information has been added into 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). |
| Placements in Other Arrangements | This chapter has been updated throughout in line with the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023. |
| Providing Personalised Care | Additional information has been added into Further Information. |
| Health and Safety | Information in relation to allergies has been added into Section 6, Diet, Nutrition and Allergies. |
| Health Care Assessments and Plans | Information in relation to allergies has been added into Section 4, Health Plans. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been revised to include information from the revised Ofsted inspection framework, and to note that from 1 April 2023 the leaving care allowance has been increased by £1000 from £2000 to £3000. |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education. A new Section 2, The Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern has also been added. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Ofsted Inspection Framework | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
May 2023
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
April 2023
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Threshold Document - Continuum of Help and Support | Links have been updated to the updated Northumberland Thresholds of Need document. |
| Contacts and Referrals | This chapter has been updated to add links to updated Multi-Agency Referral Form, and to updated Thresholds document in the Documents Library. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been amended throughout in line with Management Guidance in Public Law Children Cases: March 2022. Section 8, Court Hearings was 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). |
| Legal Gateway Panel | Links have been added to new Appendices 2 and 3. Amendments have been made throughout the chapter in line with local practice. |
| Case Records and Retention | This chapter has been updated in relation to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. |
| Direct Payments | Links have been added to Local Information in the Documents Library. |
| Private Fostering | A link has been added to updated Appendix A: NCC Private Fostering Flowchart and to new Appendix B: Private Fostering Guidance Support for Forms (and Audit Template) (Documents Library) in the Documents Library. |
| Young Carers | This chapter has been revised to add links to Local Information. |
| 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. Minor amendments have been made throughout in line with local practice. |
| Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Child Looked After | This chapter has been amended to reflect that the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 raised the age of marriage and civil partnership to 18 in England and Wales, with effect from 26 February 2023. |
| 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. |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
November 2022
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Short Breaks | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| 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. |
| Care Planning | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Placement Planning and Disruption Meetings | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Health Care Assessments and Plans | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Fostering Panel | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Supervision and Support of Foster Carers | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Equality and Diversity | 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. |
| Training and Development of Foster Carers | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
April 2022
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been revised throughout. |
| Legal Gateway Panel | This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read |
| Complaints and Representations | This chapter has been amended to reflect the Children's Statutory Complaint Process: Guide for Practitioners (Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman, 2021). (See Relevant Guidance). |
| Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations | This chapter has been refreshed throughout. |
| Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff | This chapter has been refreshed throughout. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been refreshed to include links to related reports from the House of Commons Library. 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. |
| Short Breaks | Information has been added in to Section 7, Overnight 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. |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | Section 1.3, Section 20 Accommodation has been revised in line with the Public Law Working Group (PLWG) Recommendations to Achieve Best Practice in the Child Protection and Family Justice Systems. |
| 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 Children's Homes | 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 case-law and 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. |
| Education of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been revised to reflect the 'Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted)'; updated 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' (see Scope of This Chapter) and Sexual Harassment in Education – Briefing (House of Parliament Library) (see Section 8.2, Protecting looked after children from sexual harassment and peer on peer abuse). The chapter has been also amended to reflect Promoting the Education of Children with a Social Worker: Virtual School Head Role Extension. Information on the School Admission Code has been added into Section 6, When a Child Needs or Joins a New School. |
| Restrictive Physical Intervention | A link has been added to Guidance: Positive Environments Where Children Can Flourish (Ofsted) - see Further Information. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| 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. |
| Placements in Other Arrangements | This procedure has been added to the manual. |
November 2021
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles | Minor amendments have been made in line with local practice. |
| Children's Consultation and Participation | Minor amendments have been made in line with local practice. |
| Capacity and Consent | This chapter has been updated to add information on case-law 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. |
| Threshold Document - Continuum of Help and Support | Minor amendments have been made in line with local practice. |
| Contacts and Referrals | Minor amendments have been made in line with local practice. |
| Assessments | Minor amendments have been made in line with local practice. |
| Child in Need Plans and Reviews | Minor amendments have been made in line with local practice. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | Minor amendments have been made in line with local practice. |
| 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 refreshed throughout. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | A new Section 10, Use of Inherent Jurisdiction to Authorise a Placement Involving a Deprivation of Liberty has been added. |
| Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK | Section 2.4, Insurance has been updated. |
| 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 Leavers as well as Section 7, Reviews of Pathway Plans and Section 13, Where Care Leavers Live or Move to a Different Local Authority Area. |
| Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody | This chapter has been updated to reflect the Section 2.6 Care leavers leaving custody in Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leavers: Good Practice Advice (DfE and MHCLG) (see Section 3.9, Planning for Release). |
| Local Contacts | This chapter has been revised throughout. |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This chapter has been revised throughout. |
February 2021
| 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 |
| 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. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | This chapter has been updated to reflect updated guidance. (See Section 6, Placements of Children under the age of 13 Years). |
| Notifications of Significant Events | This chapter has been refreshed throughout. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been updated. In Section 9.3, The 16-19 Bursary Fund and Higher Education Bursary, the link has been updated. |
July 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. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been updated in line with the new digital referral system for reporting potential victims of Modern Slavery. |
| Private Fostering | This chapter has been amended. Appendix A: NCC Private Fostering Flowchart has been updated. |
| Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children | Minor amendments have been made. In Section 7, Appealing Decisions, the address for the First Tier Tribunal has been updated. |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This chapter has been updated. Updated: Designated Manager (Care Plans) Designated Manager (Contact with Parents) |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Capacity and Consent | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
| Storage of Data on Mobile Devices | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
| Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
February 2020
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated to reference and note the Family Court Justice Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship, Courts and Tribunals Judiciary (May 2019). (See Section 1, Introduction). |
| 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?). Minor amendments have been made throughout in line with local practice. |
| 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. |
| Permanence Planning Guidance | Information has been added in to Section 6.8, Legal routes to Permanence, and a link added in to Statement for Revocation of Placement Order. |
| 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 Box). |
| Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews | 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. |
| Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated throughout. It incorporates changes introduced by the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and updated Keeping Children Safe in Education. New sections have been added with regard to Unaccompanied Migrant Children, and the role of the Virtual School Head in relation to Previously Looked After children is emphasised. It also includes a reference to Upskirting (which is now a criminal offence) and a new section on Serious Violence. Information has been added to reflect OFSTED's advice that LAs should exercise due diligence in ensuring schools for LAC pupils are registered with the DFE. Minor amendments have been made throughout in line with local practice. |
| Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK | Minor amendments have been made throughout in line with local practice. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 10, Representations / Independent Review Procedure. The chapter has been updated throughout in line with local practice. |
| 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 / Independent Review Procedure. The chapter has been updated throughout in line with local practice. |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been reviewed and refreshed, and terminology has been updated where required. Minor amendments have been made throughout in line with local practice. |
| Local Contacts | Updated February 2020: LADO; Children and Young Peoples Service (CYPS; 14+ Team; Disabled Children's Team; Report a concern about a child; Report a concern about an adult; Report a concern about Hate Crime Domestic Abuse or antisocial behaviour. Added February 2020: LAC Designated Nurse. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings | This chapter reflects statutory guidance in relation to children who are placed by health authorities or local authorities for more than 3 months in residential establishments for educational purposes and children placed in care homes or independent hospitals (including hospices) by health authorities or local authorities (Sections 85 and 86 of the Children Act 1989). |
August 2019
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children's Consultation and Participation | The Related Guidance section has been updated to add supporting resources with regard to children's consultation and participation. |
| Assessments | A link to the Assessment Visit Flowchart has been added. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been amended to reflect changes from 'Practice Direction 27a - Family Proceedings: Court Bundles (Universal Practice to be Applied in the High Court and Family Court)', in relation to the required maximum length of certain court documents, (unless otherwise specifically directed by the court). In addition, a new subsection of Section 4.1, Local Authority Documentation - 'Final Care Plan' 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. |
| Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child In Need) | This chapter has been updated to reflect Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and the process for reporting a serious incident to the Panel via the Child Safeguarding Incident Notification System |
| Case Records and Retention | A table specifying the time periods for retention of records has been added. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been updated. A link to the Parent Carers Needs Assessment form has been added. |
| Short Breaks | A link to the Northumberland county council s20 agreement template has been added. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | A new section on suitable placements has been added along with details of the National Transfer Scheme Protocol for unaccompanied asylum seeking children. |
| Private Fostering | The chapter has been amended to confirm that any request for support by the young person after the private fostering arrangement ends should be made to the local authority in which they are resident or where their education and training is being provided. |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | This chapter has 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). A link to a template Agreement for s20 placement of a child by Northumberland County Council has also been added. |
| 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'. 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 |
| Placements with Parents | A hyperlink to the schedule 3 Assessment of Parents has been added. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | This chapter has been updated with a link to a template Agreement for s20 placement of a child by Northumberland County Council. |
| Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children | This chapter has been amended to include a link to the Leaving Care and Transition Procedure in relation to Personal Adviser visits to 'Relevant' or 'Former Relevant' young people. |
| Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect amendments made by the Children and Social Work Act 2017. These changes relate to the status of 'previously looked after children' i.e. a previously looked-after child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because s/he is the subject of an adoption, special guardianship or child arrangements order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales. The chapter includes a new Section 15, Mental Health and a new Section 8, Safeguarding the Looked After Child at School. 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. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been updated with changes to:
|
| Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | The link to the GOV.UK Criminal records checks for overseas applicants has been updated. |
| Comments and Complaints, Advocacy and Whistle blowing | A link to the Voices Making Choices website has been added. |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This list has been updated. |
| Removed Chapters | |
|
|
January 2019
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Assessments | This chapter has been revised to reflect updated guidance on Assessment in Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Child in Need Plans and Reviews | This chapter has been updated with revised timescales. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | 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)). (See Section 9, Good Local Authority Practice During Proceedings). |
| Complaints and Representations | This chapter has been updated with a link to the Northumberland Council online Complaints and Compliments webpage. |
| Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child In Need) | This chapter has been updated to take account that from 29th June 2018 local authorities in England must notify the national Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel within 5 working days of becoming aware of a serious incident. |
| Recording Policy and Guidelines | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018, and to reflect HHJ Greensmith's comments regarding M and N (Children: Local authority gathering, preserving and disclosing evidence) [2018] EWFC 40 (1 June 2018). |
| Access to Records / Subject Access Requests | This chapter has been revised following the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation And The 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. |
| Short Breaks | This chapter has been revised and updated. |
| 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 revised to include the duty to refer where there are concerns about the young person becoming homeless. |
| Family and Friends Care | A link has been added in Related Guidance to 'Looking after someone else's child' (GOV.UK) - government advice on the support and financial help available if someone else's child is living with you full time. |
| Young Carers | This chapter has been revised with information about funding an assessment added to Section 3, Assessing Need and Providing Support. |
| 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. |
| Placements with Parents | A link to the Schedule 3 Assessment has been added. |
| Placements in Foster Care | Section 2, Placement Request has been revised. |
| Placements in Children's Homes | This chapter has been revised to ensure consistency of terminology and provide additional detail. |
| 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. |
| Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers | This chapter has been amended to include information on Fraser Guidelines. |
| Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children | This chapter has been revised with revisions to the agreed timescales in Section 1, Normal Frequency. |
| Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been revised. A link has been added to the National Curriculum Assessments at Key Stage 2. |
| Safe Caring Policy for Looked After Children in Foster Care | This chapter has been updated. |
| 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, and 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 revised with guidance on how to request a transfer of review of placement. |
| Supervision and Support of Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated with minor revisions to the text and corrections regarding the training and development of Foster carers |
| Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers | This chapter has slight amendments throughout. |
| Life Story Books Guidance | This chapter has been extensively revised and should be reread. |
| Later Life Letters | This chapter has been extensively revised and should be reread. |
| 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 Relevant National Guidance section of this chapter. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Leadership Pledge | Statement from Northumberland children's services management team setting out the strategic direction for children's services. |
| Standards of Care | This chapter has been updated, it is originally from the Northumberland Fostering and Adoption Services Manual and has been updated. |
| Matching Children with Permanent Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated, it is originally from the Northumberland Fostering and Adoption Services Manual and has been updated. |
| Promoting Education and Leisure Activities | This chapter has been updated, it is originally from the Northumberland Fostering and Adoption Services Manual and has been updated. |
| Policy on the Storage of Medicine and Administration of Medicine or Treatment | This chapter has been updated, it is originally from the Northumberland Fostering and Adoption Services Manual and has been updated. |
| Bedroom Sharing Policy | This chapter has been updated, it is originally from the Northumberland Fostering and Adoption Services Manual and has been updated. |
| Consumption of Alcohol by Foster Carers and Young People Policy | This chapter has been updated, it is originally from the Northumberland Fostering and Adoption Services Manual and has been updated. |
| Children Missing from Care | This chapter has been updated, it is originally from the Northumberland Fostering and Adoption Services Manual and has been updated. |
| Criminal Records Disclosure Procedure | This chapter has been updated, it is originally from the Northumberland Fostering and Adoption Services Manual and has been updated. |
| Foster Carers Record Keeping and Retention Policy | This chapter has been updated, it is originally from the Northumberland Fostering and Adoption Services Manual and has been updated. |
| Transfer of Foster Carers Protocol | A link to the fostering network guidance has been added. |
| Comments and Complaints, Advocacy and Whistle blowing | This chapter has been updated, it is originally from the Northumberland Fostering and Adoption Services Manual and has been updated. |
| Guidance and Policy on Payment and Use of Disability Living Allowance by Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated, it is originally from the Northumberland Fostering and Adoption Services Manual and has been updated. |
| Northumberland Family Placement Service - Adoption Agency statement of Purpose | The statement of purpose of the Family Placement Service setting out its commitment to finding permanent families for children. |
| Adopt North East Regional Adoption Agency | A link to the regional adoption agency. |
