Updated: 15 February 2021

Welcome to the tri.x resource on Coronavirus (COVID-19). This resource is subject to change in line with further guidance. It provides relevant information and relevant changes to key procedures.

The National Lockdown: Stay at Home Guidance came into force on 5 January 2021.

NOTE: The Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 came into force on 24 April 2020 and remained in force until 25 September 2020. The Regulations made temporary amendments to various requirements and timescales.

They were then replaced by the Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020, which will continue in force until 31 March 2021.

These Regulation amendments can be found in the relevant manual types below.

The amended regulations will continue to allow for medical reports on prospective foster carers and adopters to be approved at a later date and permit visits between social workers and children to take place virtually when local lockdowns or self-isolation make in-person visits impossible. 

The extension will also see Ofsted’s return to full inspections of children’s social care settings, including children’s homes and private foster care agencies, pushed back until March 2021.

On 9 February 2021, the Government launched a consultation seeking views on their proposal to extend or amend a limited number of flexibilities within the Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2020, in relation to Medical Reports, Virtual Visits and Ofsted Inspections. The Consultation closes on 28 February.

This Resource will continue to be updated in line with changes to legislation and guidance.

It is important however that practitioners check their local position before varying duties and practice standards in the way permitted by the regulations.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Whilst many staff will be working remotely during the coronavirus outbreak, it is important to note that personal data must at all times continue to be processed and stored in accordance with Data Protection principles.

You should not use personal devices to communicate with service-users, store personal data on personal devices or download and use apps onto work or personal devices (phones/laptops/tablet computers) without express authorisation from your manager.

For more information see:

Storage of Data on Mobile Devices (for Children’s and Adult Services)

Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff (for Children’s Services)

Social Media (use of) (adult customers can find this on their procedures site)

Children’s Services customers will be offered the above two chapters at their next scheduled update. Adult Service customer updates will automatically include Storage of Data on Mobile Devices as a new procedure.

We have also added a useful new chapter on Capacity and Consent (for Children’s Services).

Children Services

Safeguarding Partnership

Local Authority Children's Homes

Independent Children's Homes

Independent Fostering Agencies

Foster Carers Handbook

Regional Adoption Agencies

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