Getting Started with this Procedures Manual

Display and Browser Options
About this Procedures Manual
Amendments
Terminology
Keywords and National Contacts
Compliance
Comments and Suggestions
Copyright
Printing and Retaining Copies

1. Display and Browser Options

People with a visual impairment may have difficulty accessing this Handbook.
To change the size of the text/layout - please use the accessibility buttons which are on the menu bar at the bottom of the screen, they look like this:

Click a larger button to increase your text size, the very largest being high visibility mode.

2. About this Procedures Manual

This manual contains all of our key policies and procedures, listed in ‘Contents’ on the top of the screen.

When you have read this guide, start by familiarising yourself with the Contents List and the Procedures listed under each section.

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

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

3. Amendments

This manual was updated in November 2023. The next update will be May 2024.

Click here to view details of updates made to this manual.

4. Terminology

We have used the following terms and post titles:

Home	This is a generic term which means Children's Home.
'Child' or 'Young Person'	Both of 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 or Link Worker	Members of staff that have special responsibility for children in the home.
Parent	Means person with Parent or person with Parental Responsibility.
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).
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.

5. Keywords and National Contacts

There is a large online glossary (Keywords) of terms used throughout the manual and an online resource for National Contacts which is designed to help you find the contact details for key national agencies and organistions. You will find a link to this free resource on the home page.

6. Compliance

Regulatory Compliance

Every effort has been taken to ensure regulatory compliance. If you discover any errors or mistakes, please alert your Supervising Social Worker.

7. Comments and Suggestions

If you have any comments or suggestions to make about this Procedures Manual please consult your Line Manager.

8. Copyright

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. However any 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.

9. Printing and Retaining Copies

The Procedures Manual should normally be viewed on line but can be printed, for reference only, via the printing options of your internet browser (usually by clicking File from the top menu, and then selecting Print, or using the keyboard shortcut 'ctrl + p').

Please note, the Procedures Manual will be updated from time to time, so you should avoid retaining printed versions - hard copies are only valid for 72 hours.