Using this Manual

This quick guide explains how the manual works.

1. About this Manual

This manual contains the policies, procedures and guidance for Sandwell Children's Trust. Any previous copies of old procedures should be discarded.

This manual should be read alongside the Regional Child Protection Procedures which contain the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Procedures for the region. There is also additional guidance on safeguarding on the Sandwell Children's Safeguarding Partnership website (SCSP).

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.

You can add a shortcut to the manual on the home screen of your phone or mobile device by opening the site using the 'url' (website address) and then on an Android phone tapping the 3 dots at the top right hand corner of the phone browser and from the drop down menu selecting 'Add to Home Screen'. On an iPhone, open the site in the phone browser and at the bottom of the browser select the icon that looks like a square with an arrow pointing upwards and from the menu that appears select 'Add to Home Screen'.

We value the children and young people that we work with. In particular, the children and young people we care for are known as Children in Care. However in the context of this handbook as the legislation and national guidance refers to Looked After Children you may on occasions see this terminology is used within the manual.

2. Amendments

This manual is updated on a regular basis and a summary of the changes can be accessed via the 'Amendments' button on the Home page. The next planned update will be in April 2025. When the manual is updated, the contents list will show new chapters and the existing chapters that have been updated. As well, a note of the changes will be included in the relevant chapter.

Click here to view a list of updates made to this manual.

If you wish any amendments or additions to be included in an update, or if you have any questions about the operation of these procedures or the process for updating/amending them, please contact: Michelle Hicken (Michelle_Hicken@sandwellchildrenstrust.org).

3. Sandwell Guidance

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.

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.

There is also a National Contacts resource populated with details of key national agencies and organisations likely to be relevant to procedures user.

5. Regulatory Compliance

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

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.

6. 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.

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, Sandwell Children's Trust and Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Councils.

8. 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.

9. 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. It will be updated regularly so, in the unlikely event there is a requirement for hard copies they should be destroyed after 72 hours.

10. 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:

11. 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.

The majority of devices have the functionality to allow a shortcut to be downloaded to the homescreen by loading the site using the 'url' and using the upload function and tapping 'Add to Home Screen'. The functionality may vary between devices, please refer to the manufacturer's instructions.