1.1.1 Quick Guide |
Manual Version 5, August 2009
Introduction
Welcome to this the fifth edition of the Bradford of the Bradford Department of Services to Children and Young People Procedures Manual.
This Version came into force on August 1st 2009 and supersedes all previous editions.
This manual is updated every six months and the next edition will be released in February 2010. Any revisions and editions will need to be brought to the attention of Phil Roberts by 14th December 2009.
On the left of your screen is a 'Contact Us' button that can also be used to get in touch with Tri.x with any questions about the manual. If you the manual user, spot any problems or faults with the manual, please use this facility to bring this to our attention.
Phil Roberts has taken the responsibility for the changes to the manual and internal enquiries should be directed to him.
Fifth Edition
Please see the list below, which outlines the chapters that are new to this edition, and those which have been updated. All these chapters are marked as 'New' or 'Updated' on the contents list. The scope box at the head of these chapters identifies when they were added and what the nature of the amendment is.
In this edition references to SWIFT are historic to reflect the move to ICS.
The Designated Managers section of this manual has been revised to reflect the movement of staff and changes to personnel
Contents
- Display and Browser Options
- Structure of the Manual
- Amendments
- How to find a Chapter
- Terminology
- Keywords
- Compliance
- Contact us
- Copyright
1. Display and Browser Options
Have you checked your display and browser options? If not, please go the 'display and browser options' on the left hand side of the screen.
2. Structure of the Manual
This manual contains the policies, procedures and guidance for the Department of Services to Children and Young People.
Policies Values and Principles: In this manual, all Bradford Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles are located in one Chapter called 'Values' which users can access using the buttons on the left of the screen, users are required to familiarise themselves with them before proceeding to the main body of the Manual.
Procedures and Guidance: 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.
3. Amendments
The manual will be updated on a regular basis and when the updates are published, where chapters which are new or have been amended significantly, this will be indicated in the Contents List and at the top of the relevant chapter. The changes that have been made in this edition of the manual are detailed below.
| Chapter Number | Title | Note |
New Chapters |
||
| 2.1.1 | Quick Comprehensive guide to the Common Assessment Framework Procedure | These two chapters have replaced the former guidance and the old Matrix of need. They provide guidance to professionals from all settings on the common assessment framework and thresholds of intervention. |
| 2.1.2 | Common Assessment Framework Integrated Working Guidance | |
| 4.9.9 | BAAF Guidance on Smoking in Family Placements | |
| 4.10.14 | Assessment of Foster Carers or others who wish to Acquire Parental Responsibility Procedure | |
| 4.10.15 | Contact in Adoption Procedure | |
| 4.11.1 | New Section added 'Adoption Support Services' | |
| 4.11.2 | Residence Order Allowances Procedure | |
| 4.11.3 | Special Guardianship Order Policy Procedure | |
| 4.11.4 | Special Guardianship Order Support Procedure | |
| 4.11.5 | Special Guardianship Order Court Report Procedure | |
| 4.11.6 | Ongoing Payments in respect of Adoption Support, Special Guardianship Support and Residence Order Allowance Guidance | |
Updated Chapters |
||
| 1.1.2 | Policies Values and Principles, including Principles of Recording, Equality, Confidentiality and Consultation | This chapter has been amended and the guidance on the use of SWIFT has been removed. |
| 2.1.5 | Initial Assessments Procedure | Has linked to the new Forced Marriage Guidance in the SCB manual |
| 2.1.7 | Decision to Look After, Care and Permanence Planning Procedure | Includes references and links to the Public Law Outline |
| 3.2.6 | Children in Need - Relative Carers Allowances Procedure | These chapters have been amended to identify the maximum allowances that can be paid to carers. |
| 3.2.9 | Supporting Children Who are not Living with their Parents Procedure | |
| 4.2.4 | Placements in Secure Accommodation Procedure | This chapter was amended to include new arrangements for the placement of children under 13 years old in secure accommodation. |
| 4.2.6 | Placements with Relatives and Friends Procedure | Amended to include the involvement of the Family and Friends Team. |
| 4.6.1 | Holidays and Trips Outside the UK Procedure | This chapter has been amended to include new guidance on obtaining passports for Looked After children |
| 4.7.1 | Death or Serious Injury to a Looked After Child Procedure | This chapter includes the new notification arrangements for children and young people in these circumstances |
| 4.9.1 | Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers Procedure | This chapter has been revised to include the new Independent Review Mechanism for Foster Carers |
| 4.9.2. | Fostering Panel Procedure | This chapter has been amended to reflect the new arrangements for foster panel membership |
| 4.13.2 | Regulation 33 Visits Procedure | This chapter now has a link to the Bullying procedure. |
| 5.1.1 | Comments, Complaints and Compliments Procedure | Amended to include the new responsibilities of the Local Government Ombudsman |
| 5.2.3 | Activities and Transporting Children Procedure | This chapter now includes the new arrangements for Adventurous Activities |
4. How to find a Chapter
Procedures and guidance are located in individual 'Chapters' which are available from a 'traditional' Contents List - on the left hand side of the screen.
4.1 Using the Contents List
Chapters are categorised or grouped together as follows:
PARTS: The manual contains procedures categorised under a number of Service Sectors, like 'Looked After Children',
SECTIONS: Within each Service Sector e.g. 'Looked After Services', you will find a Section (group of procedures) like 'Adoption and Permanence'.
CHAPTERS: Under each Section, you'll find individual Chapters/Procedures e.g. 'Adoption Case Records' 4.2 You can search for a Chapter
If you aren't sure which service or section to look in, try 'Search' which will help you identify specific Chapters and sub headings within Chapters.
5.Terminology
We believe it is crucial to use consistent terminology, which we agree with individual customers, for example:
| 'Home' and 'Resource' | this is a generic term which means Children’s Home, Foster Home |
| 'Child' or 'Young Person' | both these terms are used to mean any child under the age of 18 |
| 'Staff' or 'Carer' | means all Staff and Carers (including) whether employed or not |
| 'Manager' | means Team Manager, it also means YOT Team Manager |
| 'Line Manager' | means the first Line Manager of a team/service |
| 'Parent' | means 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. |
6. Keywords
The manual is accessed by practitioners from varying agencies, who may find terms that they are not familiar with. Therefore, a large glossary (Keywords) of terms such as Significant Harm (Try it: click on the highlighted text). We call them 'Keywords'.
Many Keywords are highlighted in the body of procedures, but you can search for the Keyword you need: Go to the Keywords Index, on the left hand side of the screen. Or, use 'Search'.
7.Compliance
7.1 Regulatory Compliance
Every effort has been taken to ensure regulatory compliance. If you discover any errors or mistakes, please alert your manager or contact us.
7.2 W3C Compliance
This manual meets the double A Standards of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), for example, it can be accessed by people with high levels of visual impairment. To find out more, click on 'Display Options' on the left hand side of the screen.
8.Contact us
If you have any comments or suggestions to make about this manual please contact us by using the button on the left hand side of the screen, from anywhere within the manual.
9.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-Childcare Ltd. and Bradford Department of Services to Children and Young People.
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