Using this Manual

This quick guide explains how the manual works.

1. About this Manual

This manual contains all of our key policies and procedures, which can be accessed via the 'Contents' button on the top of the screen.

There is a link on the toolbar to the Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Board (SSCB) Safeguarding Children Procedures which contain the safeguarding children procedures for Staffordshire.

When you have read this guide, start by familiarising yourself with the Contents List and the Procedures listed under each section and look at the Local Resources Area. For the additional content.

You will see that our key policy statements are in Residential Child Care - Key Principles; the other sections primarily contain procedures and/or guidance.

All efforts are taken to ensure that the procedures are up to date; if you discover any errors including typing or spelling mistakes, please notify us via the 'register for updates' function on the top of the screen.

If you are unable to find a Procedure you require, consult your manager or use the search function on the top of the screen.

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. The next planned update is in January 2025.

If you would like to suggest a change to the procedures manual discuss your suggestion with your line manager in the first instance.

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. The Local Resources contains additional information and policies that cover the homes.

4. Children's Homes Regulations (including Quality Standards)

Most chapters contain a summary of the key Regulations (including Quality Standards) that are relevant, together with links to a web enabled version of the Standards.

5. 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.

6. Terminology

Key Terms

We have tried to use consistent terminology throughout the Manual, as follows:

Home This is a generic term which means Children's Home
'Child' or 'Young Person' Both these terms are used to mean any child under the age of 18
Home's or Registered Manager This is the registered manager for the home, sometimes the term 'Manager' is used.
Line Manager This is used to denote the first line manager for the home; the person who supervises the Home's Manager.
Staff or Carer Means all Staff and Carers whether employed or not
Key Worker Members of staff that have special responsibility for children in the home.
Parent Means person with parent or person with Parental Responsibility
Regulatory Authority Regulatory Authority is the generic term used in this manual to describe the independent regulatory body responsible for inspecting and regulating services e.g. Ofsted
Social Worker This means the worker allocated to the child/family. If there is no allocated worker, the Duty Social Worker or Team Manager is responsible.
Placing Authority Placing Authority means the local authority/agency responsible for placing the child or commissioning the service (usually Children's Services - see below).
Children's Services, Children's Social Care Services All these terms are used in this manual. In effect they mean the same thing. In some areas, Children's Services still exist, but in most areas they have replaced Children's Services with Children's Social Care Services - which normally provide Children's Social Care and education services within the local authority.
Placement Plan The term 'Placement Plan' is the generic term meaning the home's own plan for the child/young person. The term 'Placement Information Record' is an Integrated Children's Service (ICS) record, generated by the Placing Authority.

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.

7. Regulatory Compliance

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

8. 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 and Staffordshire County Council.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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:

13. 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.