Using this Manual

This quick guide explains how the manual works.

1. About this Manual

This is the first operational online edition of Tower Hamlet Children's Social Care Procedures Manual. This manual contains the policies, procedures and guidance for Tower Hamlet Children's Social Care. All previous policies, procedures and guidance should be discarded. In an attempt to keep procedures succinct, procedures and more detailed guidance are separated - with links provided as appropriate:

  • Procedures summarise how managers and staff must act in given circumstances;
  • Guidance provides direction or advice to a decision or course of action;
  • Protocols are agreements between two or more services or agencies

A web-based version of the London Safeguarding Children Procedures has also been incorporated into this manual. This can be accessed by clicking on Children & Families Safeguarding Partnership Procedures button at the top of the screen.

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 and the Next Update

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 and here.

The next update will take place in December 2024.

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

For further details, please contact Sam Nair (Sam.Nair@towerhamlets.gov.uk).

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.

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.

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 and Tower Hamlets Council.

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.