November 2023
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Amendments have been made to reflect case-law in relation to assessing legal capacity. |
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Information has been added into Section 4, Care Orders and Supervisions Orders on a Care Plan of the Child Remaining at Home in relation to Supervision Orders, in line with Public Law Working Group (PLWG) Recommendations to Achieve Best Practice in the Child Protection and Family Justice Systems: Supervision Orders. |
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Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities |
This chapter has been updated. Information in relation to legal aid for foster carers and prospective adoptive parents in First Tier Tribunal appeals has been added into Section 15, Resolving Disagreements. |
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery |
This chapter has been updated. Information in relation to the National Age Assessment Board has been added into Section 4, Assessment. |
Section 3, Section 20 Accommodation has been updated in line with case-law. |
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This chapter has been updated. |
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Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation |
This chapter has been amended to include information from Annex to MOJ Circular 2022/03: Additional Information on Remand to Local Authority Accommodation (RLAA). |
Information in relation to allergies has been added into Section 6, Diet, Nutrition and Allergies. |
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This chapter has been updated. |
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Information in relation to allergies has been added into Section 4, Health Plans. |
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This chapter has been amended to note that with effect from 1 April 2023, the leaving care allowance increased from £2,000 to £3,000. It has been also revised to include information from the revised Ofsted inspection framework. |
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This chapter has been amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education. A new Section 2, The Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern has also been added. |
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This chapter has been amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education. A new Section 2, The Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern has also been added. |
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This chapter has been refreshed and a link added to National Early Permanence Practice Standards (Coram Centre for Early Permanence). |
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New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
This chapter has been added. |
Next Update: May 2024 |
Archive
May 2023
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 |
This chapter has been amended to include a link to Self-harm: Assessment, Management and Preventing Recurrence NICE Guidance in the Further Information section. |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline |
Section 8, Court Hearings has been updated in line with A View From the President's Chambers: Relaunching the PLO (November 2022) and that section should be re-read. |
Case Records and Retention |
This chapter has been updated in relation to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. |
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities |
This chapter has been updated to include information from Guidance: Area SEND Inspections Framework and Handbook (November 2022). |
Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings |
This chapter has been updated to include information from the UK Social Work Practice in Safeguarding Disabled Children and Young People report. |
Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After Child |
This chapter has been amended to reflect that the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 raised the age of marriage and civil partnership to 18 in England and Wales, with effect from 26 February 2023. |
Children Involved in the Youth Justice System Additional National Guidance |
Links have been added to 'A Guide to Child First - Youth Justice Board' and 'Matters of Concern, Safeguarding Concerns, Allegations and Complaints for Children in Custody'. |
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders |
This chapter has been updated to reflect the updated Public Law Working Group Best Practice Guidance. This includes the new interim guidance, issued by the President of the Family Division, that addresses the lawful extension of care proceedings beyond 26 weeks. Section 6.3, Placement before a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) is Granted has been added in line with guidance that states where there is no pre-existing relationship between the child and special guardians the child should be placed on an interim basis before the special guardianship order is made. |
Shropshire Social Work Learning Resource |
This resource has been updated. |
November 2022
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | This chapter has been amended to refer to Guidance issued by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman and the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been amended throughout in line with Management Guidance in Public Law Children Cases: March 2022. |
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | Section 15, Resolving Disagreements has been updated in line with the First Tier Tribunal's extended powers to hear appeals and make non-binding recommendations about health and social care aspects of Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans, provided those appeals also include education elements. |
Decision to Look After | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
Care Planning | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
Ceasing to Look After a Child | This chapter has been updated to add a note regarding transferring a child's belongings in appropriate luggage and includes a link to a link to NYAS, My Things Matter Report (see Section 5, Administration/Process Issues). |
Placements in Foster Care | This chapter has been updated to add a link to the NYAS 'My Things Matter' Report – support and respect care-experienced children and their belongings when they move (see Section 4, Placement Planning). |
Placements in Residential Care | This chapter has been updated to add a link to the NYAS 'My Things Matter' Report – support and respect care-experienced children and their belongings when they move (see Section 2.3, Placement Planning). |
Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | Section 10, Use of Inherent Jurisdiction to Authorise a Placement Involving a Deprivation of Liberty has been updated in line with case-law. |
Placements Outside England and Wales | Section 3, Placements in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey has been updated in line with the Cross-border Placements (Effect of Deprivation of Liberty Orders) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 and Cross-Border Placements (Effect of Deprivation of Liberty Orders) (Scotland) Regulations 2022: Practice Guidance, Notice and Undertaking Template. |
Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | This chapter has been amended in line with the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. |
Contact with Parents/Adults and Siblings | Section 3, Supervised Contact has been updated to reflect a finding by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman that the supervisor's observations of the contact must be clearly recorded in the child's record and shared with the parents within 3 months of the visit. |
Personal Care and Relationships | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
Physical Intervention | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been amended to add a link to the NYAS 'My Things Matter' Report – support and respect care-experienced children and their belongings when they move (see Scope of This Chapter). |
Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services | Section 2, Looked After Children who are Arrested has been updated in relation to appropriate adults. |
Fostering Panel | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
Recruitment, Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
Adoption Panel | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
Placement for Adoption | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
Adoption Support | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
Disruption of Adoptive Placements | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Equality and Diversity | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Risk Assessment and Planning | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Providing Personalised Care | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Health and Safety | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Leisure Activities | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Youth Offending Additional National Guidance | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Training and Development of Foster Carers | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
May 2022
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Capacity and Consent | A new Section 4.3, Consent to the Use of Medication to Suppress Puberty has been added in line with case-law. |
Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | Section 2, Ordinary Residence has been updated in line with case-law. |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read. |
Gateway/Legal Planning Meetings | This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read. |
Electronic Recording of Meetings | Part 1 of this chapter has been updated in line with case-law. |
Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff | This chapter has been given a general refresh. |
Decision to Look After and Care Planning | Section 1.3, Section 20 Accommodation has been revised in line with the Public Law Working Group (PLWG) Recommendations to Achieve Best Practice in the Child Protection and Family Justice Systems. |
Education of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been significantly amended to reflect the 'Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted)'; updated 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' (see Further Information) and Sexual Harassment in Education – Briefing (House of Parliament Library) (see Section 8.2, Protecting looked after children from sexual harassment and peer on peer abuse). The chapter has also been amended to reflect Promoting the Education of Children with a Social Worker: Virtual School Head Role Extension. |
Physical Intervention | A link has been added to the Ofsted good practice guidance which is non statutory - Guidance: Positive Environments Where Children Can Flourish (Ofsted). |
November 2021
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Capacity and Consent | A new Section 5.4, Consent to Life-ending Withdrawal of Medical Support has been added to reflect High Court judgments. Section 2.1, Consent to Information Sharing has been updated to reflect revisions contained in the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
Contacts and Referrals | Guidance contained in this chapter has been reviewed and updated as required to reflect guidance from the refreshed Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | The link has been updated to the SWET (updated April 2021). Section 2, Pre-Proceedings has been updated to include information in relation to pre-birth assessments and planning where the mother has learning disabilities. It has also been updated to reflect Practice Guidance on Special Guardianship (Family Justice Council). See Section 9, Expectations of the Local Authority by the Court in particular. |
Complaints and Representations | This chapter has been amended to reflect the Children's Statutory Complaint Process: Guide for Practitioners (Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman) (see Relevant Guidance). |
Electronic Recording of Meetings | Information has been added on recording by employees in a professional capacity, and links added to relevant guidance. |
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been refreshed and updated to include links to related reports from the House of Commons Library (see Section 16, Further Information and Statutory Guidance). |
Short Breaks | Information has been added into Section 7, Short Break Settings in relation to the prohibition on looked after children under the age of 16 being placed in 'other arrangements' placements for the purposes of a short break. |
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | Section 6.1, Placement Options has been updated in relation to placements in 'other arrangements'. Section 4, Assessment has been updated in relation to Age Assessments. Minor amendments have also been made to this chapter in line with the UK's exit from the EEA. |
Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | This chapter has been significantly updated throughout and should be re-read. |
Family and Friends Care | A new Section 7, Education has been added and information was added on the School Admission Code. |
Relinquished Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect case-law setting out lessons for the future in non-notification cases. |
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children | This chapter has been refreshed and a link added to House of Commons Library Briefing Paper: Criminal Injuries Compensation for Victims of Child Abuse. |
Placements with Parents | Section 1, Planned Placements has been updated to add information on placements in 'other arrangements'. |
Placements in Residential Care | This chapter has been updated to note that, from September 2021, looked after children under 16 years of age cannot be accommodated in unregulated independent or semi-independent placements. |
Out of Area Placements | Section 6, Placements in Wales has been updated in line with updated Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. |
Placements Outside England and Wales | Section 3, Placements in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Guernsey has been updated in line with updated Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. Additional information has also been added in relation to placements in Scotland, in line with a High Court case. |
Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | Information has been added into Section 3, Local Authority Accommodation in relation to children under the age of 16 being placed in 'other arrangements' placements. |
Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers | A new Section 7.4, Consent to Life-ending Withdrawal of Medical Support has been added to reflect a High Court judgment. |
Advocacy and Independent Visitors | Links to local information have been added. |
Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | Information has been added on the School Admission Code in Section 6, When a Child Needs or Joins a New School. |
Leaving Care and Transition | Section 6, Pathway Planning has been updated to note that, in relevant cases, immigration status should be included as a separate section on the Pathway Plan. This will help to ensure that young people who have been granted Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme apply to convert this to Settled Status at the appropriate. Pathway Plans should contain clear information about what action needs to be taken by whom and when to ensure that the young person's right to remain legally in the UK is not jeopardised. |
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been updated to reflect Practice Guidance on Special Guardianship published by the Family Justice Council. See Section 6.2, Special Guardianship Applications in Care Proceedings and new Section 16, Special Guardianship Orders in International Cases. Information has been added on the School Admission Code in Section 12, The Special Guardianship Support Plan. |
Shropshire Social Work Learning Resource | This resource has been updated. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
Placements in Other Arrangements | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
May 2021
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Capacity and Consent | This chapter has been updated to add information on a High Court case in relation to consent in the context of the use of medication to suppress puberty. Information has also been added in relation to NICE Quality Standard: Decision-Making and Mental Capacity. |
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | Section 15, Resolving Disagreements has been updated to reference recent case-law holding that, as part of the mediation process, a parent/child/young person is entitled to bring along any supporter they wish, including a lawyer. |
Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds who may be Homeless and/or require Accommodation; and Duty to Refer | This chapter has been updated to add a link to Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leavers: good practice advice (DfE and MHCLG) to support the development of joint protocols that can help local authorities to meet the accommodation needs of care leavers (see new Section 4, Housing Protocols for Care Leavers). |
Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | A new Section 10, Use of Inherent Jurisdiction to Authorise a Placement Involving a Deprivation of Liberty has been added. Section 6, Placements of Children under the Age of 13 Years has been updated following publication of revised DfE guidance. |
Holidays and School Trips In and Outside of the UK | This guidance has been reviewed and updated throughout. Section 2.3, Insurance Cover has been updated to include details of how to apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which provides access to reduced cost or free medical insurance in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Section 2.4, Obtaining a Passport has also been updated to link to reissued Home Office guidance for Local Authorities Children's Services Departments when Applying for Passports on Behalf of Children. |
Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been updated with a link to Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leavers: good practice advice (DfE and MHCLG) to support the development of joint protocols that can help local authorities to meet the accommodation needs of care leavers. Additional content has therefore been added in a new Section 8, Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leavers as well as Section 7, Reviews of Pathway Plans and Section 13, Where Care Leavers Live or Move to a Different Local Authority Area. |
Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody | This chapter has been updated to reflect the Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leavers: good practice advice, Section 2.6 Care leavers leaving custody (DfE and MHCLG) (see Section 3.9, Planning for Release). |
Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | A revised link has been added to Prepare for a review panel: adopters and foster carers. See Section 9, Representations / Independent Review Procedure. |
Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers | A revised link has been added to Prepare for a review panel: adopters and foster carers. See Section 6, Representations/Review Procedure. |
Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters | A revised link has been added to Prepare for a review panel: adopters and foster carers. See Section 10, Representations / Independent Review Procedure. |
Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records | This chapter has been given a general refresh throughout and information added on applying for a copy of a birth certificate online. |
November 2020
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Complaints and Representations | Information contained in this procedure has been reviewed and refreshed as required. |
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | Section 11, Further Information has been updated to include a link to Statutory Guidance Modern Slavery: How to Identify and Support Victims. |
Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | This chapter has been significantly updated throughout and should be re-read. |
Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | Section 6, Placements of Children under the Age of 13 Years has been updated following publication of revised DfE guidance. |
Advocacy and Independent Visitors | Links to local information have been added. In Shropshire, the advocacy service is provided by Coram Voice. |
Notifications of Significant Events | This procedure has been updated to reflect the latest Ofsted guidance for social care providers on the types of incident which they consider to be serious and which will therefore require notification to the regulatory authority. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Capacity and Consent | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Storage of Data on Mobile Devices | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
May 2020
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated to reference and note the Family Justice Council: Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship, (Family Justice Council, May 2019) (see Section 1, Introduction). |
Recording Policy and Guidelines | This chapter has been amended to reflect the Ofsted Twitter Blog of 24/7/19 by Yvette Stanley, Ofsted's National Director for Social Care. The Blog highlights feedback from a number of inspections and explores what good recording should look like (Ofsted: developments in children's social care – What makes an effective case record?). |
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | An update has been made in Section 1, Principles to draw attention to OFSTED's advice that Local Authorities should exercise due diligence in ensuring schools for pupils with SEN are registered with the DFE. The same diligence should be exercised on behalf of pupils with SEN. |
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been updated to take account of the new NRM digital referral form to report Modern Slavery. |
Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews | This chapter has been updated. The requirement for clear separation of reviews (for clarifying whether the criteria for keeping a child in secure accommodation are met, and the child's looked after review) has been emphasised. Clarifying whether the criteria for keeping a child in secure accommodation are met must come before a LAC review so the decision can inform the LAC review and they must be chaired by different individuals. |
Notifications of Significant Events | This procedure has been updated to reflect revised guidance issued by Ofsted to Children's Homes Providers in August 2019. The revised guidance sought to clarify what is meant by a 'serious event' in relation to a child living in a Children's Homes with the aim of reducing the overall number of notifications made to Ofsted, and in particular reducing the number of repeat notifications made as a result of submitting additional / updated information. |
Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 9, Representations / Independent Review Procedure. |
Supervision and Support of Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated to reflect in more detail the foster carer's role and responsibilities with respect to Fostering National Minimum Standards – Notification of Significant Events (see Section 1, Introduction) and relevant aspects of Schedule 6 The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, (see Section 2, Planned Supervision Visits). |
Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers | A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 6, Representations/Review Procedure. |
Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been reviewed and refreshed, and terminology has been updated where required. |
Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters | A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 10, Representations / Independent Review Procedure. |
Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records | A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 3.2, Adoption Orders made on or after 30 December 2005. |
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been updated to reference and reflect the Family Justice Council: Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship, (Family Justice Council, May 2019) (see new Section 6.2, Special Guardianship applications in care proceedings). |
Court Reports in Adoption/Special Guardianship Guidance | This chapter has been updated to note the Family Justice Council: Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship (Family Justice Council, May 2019). See Section 3, Special Guardianship - Matters to be Dealt with in Report for the Court and final paragraphs 11 and 12. |
Shropshire Social Work Learning Resource | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read. |
October 2019
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been amended to reflect changes from 'Practice Direction 27a - Family Proceedings: Court Bundles (Universal Practice to be Applied in the High Court and Family Court)', in relation to the required maximum length of certain court documents, (unless otherwise specifically directed by the court). In addition, a new subsection of Section 4.1, Local Authority Documentation - 'Final Care Plan' provides further detail on the importance of recording information on the Care Plan which will help the child, parent or the child's carer understand why decisions have been or are being made. |
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been updated, a new Section 6, Suitable Placements has been added. Details of the National Transfer Scheme Protocol for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children Version 2.0 March 2018 have been added into Section 1, Introduction and Definitions. |
Private Fostering | This chapter has been amended. It confirms in Section 14, After the Private Fostering Arrangement Ends that any request for support by the young person should be made to the local authority in which they are resident or where the education and training is being provided. |
Decision to Look After and Care Planning | This chapter has been amended to reflect Section 3 of the Care Planning and Care Leavers (Amendment) Regulations 2014. The Care Plan must identify whether there is reason to believe the child has been trafficked or is an unaccompanied asylum seeker (see Section 2.1, The Care Plan - Contents). |
Placements with Parents | This chapter has been updated to note that this procedure does not apply to children subject to Interim Care Orders where the placement is required by the court under Section 38(6) Children Act 1989 for the purposes of assessment, (see Scope Box). |
Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children | This chapter has been amended to include a link to the Leaving Care and Transition Procedure in relation to Personal Adviser visits to 'Relevant' or 'Former Relevant' young people. |
Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been updated. Amendments have been made in:
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Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters | This chapter has been amended to reflect the national changes in adoption registration and matching (see Section 9, After the Panel Recommendation). |
Placement for Adoption | This chapter has been amended to reflect the national changes in adoption registration and matching (see Section 7.13, Inter Agency Placements and Section 11, Children Approved for Adoption for Whom no Placement has been Identified). |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
April 2019
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been amended to reflect HHJ Greensmith's comments regarding M and N (Children: Local authority gathering, preserving and disclosing evidence) [2018] EWFC 40 (1 June 2018)) (see Section 9, Good Local Authority Practice During Proceedings). |
Suspicious Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need) in Addition to the LSCB Procedures | This chapter has been updated throughout to reflect Working Together to Safeguard Children and the process for reporting a serious incident to the Panel via the Child Safeguarding Incident Notification System. |
Recording Policy and Guidelines | This chapter has been amended to reflect HHJ Greensmith's comments regarding M and N (Children: Local authority gathering, preserving and disclosing evidence) [2018] EWFC 40 (1 June 2018). |
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance which require schools, through the designated teacher to provide support to previously Looked After Children. A previously Looked After Child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because they are the subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales. |
Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds who may be Homeless and/or require Accommodation; and Duty to Refer | This chapter has been reviewed and updated. |
Ceasing to Look After a Child | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance. These changes relate to the status of 'previously Looked After Children'. A previously Looked After Child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because they are the subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales. Previously Looked After Children are entitled to support from their school through the Designated Teacher (see Section 2.5, Children Who Move into Permanency). |
Permanence Planning Guidance | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance. These changes relate to the status of 'previously looked after children'. A previously Looked After Child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because they are the subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales. Children subject to a Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order are entitled to support from their school, through the designated teacher. |
Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | This chapter has been updated in relation to placing young people in custody, see Section 2.3, How to Request a Transfer or Placement Review. |
Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect amendments made by the Children and Social Work Act 2017. These changes relate to the status of 'previously looked after children' i.e. a previously looked-after child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because they are the subject of an adoption, special guardianship or child arrangements order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales. The chapter includes a new Section 15, Mental Health and a new Section 8, Safeguarding the Looked After Child at School. A link has been added to the National Curriculum Assessments at Key Stage 2. In addition, the chapter reflects the statutory guidance Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) 2018, as it relates to Looked After Children and guidance regarding Data protection and safeguarding as set out in Data protection: a toolkit for schools (Open Beta: Version1.0) (August 2018). |
Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services | This chapter has been updated in relation to placing young people in custody, see Section 7.7, How to Request a Transfer or Placement Review. |
Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody | This chapter has been updated in relation to placing young people in custody, see Section 3.8, How to Request a Transfer or Placement Review. |
Adoption Support | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance which require schools, through the Designated Teacher for Looked After Children, to offer support to previously looked after children. A previously looked-after child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales). |
Adoption Reviews | Section 5, The Conduct of Adoption Reviews (bullet point 1.f) has been amended to reflect the status of adopted children as being 'previously looked after' when considering their educational needs. A link to DfE guidance on Promoting the Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After children has also been added. |
Later Life Letters | This chapter has been updated. |
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance which require schools, through the designated teacher to provide support to previously Looked After Children A previously Looked After Child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because they are the subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales. It has also been updated to reflect the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman good practice points to follow when working with Special Guardians. A link to the full report 'Firm Foundations: Complaints about Council Support and Advice for Special Guardians (Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman) (May 2018)' has been added into the Relevant National Guidance section of this chapter. |
Shropshire Social Work Learning Resource | This resource has been updated. |
October 2018
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles | A new Section 2, Corporate Parenting has been added in response to the DfE, Applying Corporate Parenting Principles to Looked-after Children and Care Leavers – Statutory Guidance (Feb 2018). It includes the seven corporate parenting principles set out in the guidance. |
Child in Need Plans and Reviews | This chapter has been updated by adding a new Section 4, Children in Need Moving to Another Authority - Principles. Information and communication is important between the respective local authorities to ensure appropriate services continue for the child and family and, where relevant, any risk of harm is recognised and identified with the receiving local authority. It should be noted that the responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child lies with the local authority where the child is to be found. |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated to provide some emphasis on parents who lack capacity and added links to the President of the Family Division, Family Proceedings: Parents with a Learning Disability note, and a relevant link to working with parents who have a learning disability, (see Section 2, Pre-Proceedings) and Practice Direction 3aa - Vulnerable Persons: Participation in Proceedings and Giving Evidence (see Case management in Section 4, Documentation). |
Suspicious Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need) in Addition to the LSCB Procedures | This chapter has been amended. From 29 June 2018, local authorities in England must notify the national Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel within 5 working days of becoming aware of a serious incident. |
Recording Policy and Guidelines | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
Case Records and Retention | Section 1, The Case Record has been updated in line with Adoption and Care Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018, which permits the transfer of a copy of the child's case record (or part of that record) to another adoption agency when the local authority considers this to be in the interests of the child |
Access to Records Subject to Access Request | This chapter formerly known as Access to Records has been significantly updated in regard to UK GDPR. |
Confidentiality Policy | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
Electronic Recording of Meetings | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
Family and Friends Care | This chapter has been significantly updated. |
Decision to Look After and Care Planning | Additional information has been added in to Section 1.3, Section 20 Accommodation, in line with recent case-law. |
Permanence Planning Guidance | Section 5, Assessing and Planning for Permanence has been updated to reflect the additional 'permanence provisions' of the Care Plan (under s.8 Children and Social Work Act 2017 amends section 31(3B) Children Act 1989) which a court is required to consider when deciding whether to make a Care Order |
Placements with Parents | This chapter has been updated to reflect that the DBS has no eligibility for a standard or enhanced check for birth parents or other adults living in the household. However, the Local Authority has a requirement under the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England Regulations) 2010 to obtain information about unspent convictions and cautions before placing a child back with parents. (See Section 1.2, Assessment and Checks before Placement) |
Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | This chapter has been updated to fully reflect the updated guidance 'Secure children's homes: how to place a child aged under 13 (July 2018)'. (See Section 6, Placements of Children under the Age of 13 Years). |
Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children | Section 2, Exceptions has been revised to set out more clearly the circumstances where visiting requirements differ from those set out in Section 1, Normal Frequency. |
Looked After Reviews | Section 9, The Role of the Looked After Review in Achieving Permanence for the Child has been amended to reflect the outcome of a High Court Judgement in respect of children who were subject to Section 20 and where there were concerns of significant delays in their planning for permanence. The court noted the IROs' recognition and action over a number of reviews but acknowledged that a more robust response had been needed. |
Contact with Parents/Adults and Siblings | Section 2, Different Types of Contact has been updated to take account of the use of mobile communication with regards to contact. |
Health Care Assessments and Plans | A new Section 3.5, Consent to Health Care Assessments has been added. |
Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been significantly updated. |
Adoption Panel | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
Inter Country Adoption | Section 8, Home Study has been updated to include a link to GOV.UK Benefits. |
Adoption Case Records | Section 3, Security, Retention and Sharing of Records has been updated in line with Adoption and Care Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018, which provides that an adoption agency may disclose an adoption case record to another adoption agency for purposes related to either agency's functions as an adoption agency. Further information has been added in relation to adoption records where an Adoption Order is not made. |
April 2018
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Contacts and Referrals | This chapter has been revised to set out in more detail the timetable and partnership requirements associated with effectively managing contacts and referrals. |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | Section 4.2, Case Analysis has been updated to reflect the 'permanence provisions' of the Care Plan added by s. 8 Children and Social Work Act 2017 (amending section 31(3B) Children Act 1989) which a court is required to consider when deciding whether to make a Care Order. |
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been updated to reflect the statutory guidance on the Care of Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Modern Slavery – Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities (2017). |
Decision to Look After and Care Planning | Section 2.1, The Care Plan – Contents has been amended to reflect the additional 'permanence provisions' of the Care Plan (s. 8 Children and Social Work Act 2017 amends section 31(3B) Children Act 1989) which a court is required to consider when deciding whether to make a Care Order. |
Permanence Planning Guidance | Section 5, Assessing and Planning for Permanence has been updated to reflect the additional 'permanence provisions' of the Care Plan (under s.8 Children and Social Work Act 2017 amends section 31(3B) Children Act 1989) which a court is required to consider when deciding whether to make a Care Order. |
Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | Section 8, After the Panel Recommendation has been updated to clarify the decision as to the suitability of the applicant must be made within 7 working days of receipt of the panel's recommendation and final set of panel minutes – The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 4: Fostering Services (5.39) and Standard 14 (14.9) Fostering panels and the fostering service's decision-maker |
Looked After Reviews | This chapter has been amended to fully reflect the Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review with respect to the circumstances as to when a Looked After Review should be brought forward. The list is not exhaustive. (See Section 2, Frequency of Looked After Reviews). |
Placement for Adoption | This chapter was amended to emphasise 'procedural fairness' as a key aspect of the adoption planning process in respect of ensuring parents are provided with information throughout, including the dates of placement/proposed changes of a child's Status, etc. This follows the outcome of a judicial review ([2017] EWHC 1041 (Admin)). (See new Section 4.2 Procedural Fairness). Section 1, Planning for Permanence has been updated to reflect the additional consideration (added by section 9 Children and Social Work Act 2017 amends section 1(4)(f) of the Adoption and Children Act 2002) into the list of considerations that whenever a court or adoption agency is coming to a decision relating to the adoption of a child), of the relationship which the child has with relatives, with any person who is a prospective adopter with whom the child is placed and with any other person in relation to whom the court or agency considers the relationship to be relevant. |
Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters | Section 4.1, Duty to Consider Fostering for Adoption Placement has been updated to reflect the additional consideration (added by section 9 Children and Social Work Act 2017 into the list of considerations whenever a court or adoption agency is coming to a decision relating to the adoption of a child), of the relationship which the child has with relatives, with any person who is a prospective adopter with whom the child is placed and with any other person in relation to whom the court or agency considers the relationship to be relevant. |
October 2017
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Suspicious Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need) in Addition to the LSCB Procedures | This chapter has been updated in line with the requirement to notify Ofsted of any serious childcare incident using the Ofsted online notification form. |
Case Records and Retention | This chapter has been reviewed to note the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse requires all institutions to retain their records relating to the care of children for the duration of the Inquiry (see Section 2, Retention and Confidentiality of Records). |
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a court judgement on Ordinary Residence that was included in DHSC, Care and support statutory guidance (December 2016). (See Section 12, Funding Issues - Ordinary Residence). A link has been added into Section 16, Further Information and Statutory Guidance to guidance on SEND: 19- to 25-year-olds' entitlement to EHC plans (DfE 2017). |
Private Fostering | This chapter has been amended to add clarity to the definition of private fostering with regards to the legislation and children under 16 who spend more than 2 weeks in residence during holiday time in a school. |
Young Carers | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read. |
Decision to Look After and Care Planning | This chapter has been amended to reflect the outcome of an Appeal Court hearing (2017) with respect to 'consent'. The court recognised that the term 'consent' itself was not used in Section 20. However, it described previous court observations as 'good practice guidance', emphasising its judgment should not alter the content or effect of these. (See Section 1.3.1, Obtaining Parental Consent). Sections 8 and 9 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017 come into force on 31st October 2017. Section 8 requires the to take into account care plan provisions which set out the child's individual needs, current and future, including those arising from abuse or neglect, and consider how well the long-term plan for the child will meet those needs. Section 9 require courts and adoption agencies to consider, when coming to a decision relating to the adoption of a child, the child's relationship with their prospective adopters when the child has already been placed with them. |
Placements with Parents | Section 1.2, Assessment and Checks before Placement has been updated to include consideration should be given as to whether the home environment is safe for the child including where relevant, the need for a risk assessment of any pets and the environment in which they are kept. |
Placements with Connected Persons | Section 3, Approval of Immediate Placements of Looked After Children with Connected Persons has been updated to include matters that should be considered when placing a child with a Connected Person should include an initial risk assessment of any pets, together with the environment in which the pet is kept. |
Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read in full. A note has been added in respect of Secure Accommodation - Placements in Scotland: Schedule 1, Children and Social Work Act 2017, with immediate effect, now enables local authorities to make placements in Secure accommodation under Section 25 (Children Act 1989). (See Section 7.1, Placement Request, Identification and Approval) |
Advocacy and Independent Visitors | This chapter has been updated to add a link to the Children's Society 'Advocacy services for children and young people – a guide for commissioners'. This guide outlines the legislative requirements of local authorities in the provision of advocacy support to children in need and looked after children. |
Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing Officers | The ADCS and Cafcass have withdrawn the document ADCS/Cafcass 'Agreement About How Local Authorities and Cafcass Can Work Effectively in a Set of Care Proceedings and Pre-Proceedings in the English Family Courts'. |
Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays) | This chapter has been updated and should be read throughout. |
Change of Name of a Looked After Child | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read. |
Supervision and Support of Foster Carers | Section 5, Support Provided by the Supervising Social Worker (During Placement) has been updated to reflect that the Safer Caring Plan, any changes in household circumstances along with any health and safety issues including the addition of any new pets and the environment in which they are kept should be reviewed as required. |
Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters | Section 5.3, Assessment has been updated to include where the applicants have pets, a risk assessment should be conducted and any associated risks should be taken into account with regard to the pet itself and where the pet is kept. Where necessary, an independent assessment should be undertaken by a vet to establish whether the dog falls within the scope of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. |
Placement for Adoption | In related guidance a link has been added to Contact After Adoption - Support materials for practitioners working on making positive post-adoption contact plans and supporting birth relatives and adopters through contact planning for their child. |
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been refreshed throughout and should be re-read. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Children's Consultation and Participation | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
April 2017
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | Links have been added in Section 15, Further Information and Statutory Guidance to the DfE/DHSC Send Resources page which contains a range of resources to support the work on special educational needs and disability (SEND) and a link to the Carers Trust resources page which has information on working with young carers including assessment tools. |
Short Breaks | A link has been added to Friendship For All (The Children's Society). |
Family and Friends Care | A link has been added in Related Guidance to Family Rights Group, Initial Family and Friends Care Assessment - this resource outlines what a viability assessment for family and friend carers should look like, what social workers should consider and how to undertake international assessments. |
Young Carers | This chapter has been updated with a link to Carers Trust website – which contains resources and information on young carers (including assessment tools). |
Placements with Connected Persons | A link has been added in Related Guidance to Family Rights Group, Initial Family and Friends Care Assessment - this resource outlines what a viability assessment for family and friend carers should look like, what social workers should consider and how to undertake international assessments. |
Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | This chapter has been amended to acknowledge the President of the High Court's judgement regarding applications in English courts for Secure Accommodation placements in Scotland (see Section 7.1, Placement Request, Identification and Approval). |
Looked After Reviews | This chapter has been amended to note The Law Society guidance Attendance of solicitors at local authority Children Act Meetings' and their Code of Conduct where the child or family who attend reviews are supported by a legal representative (see Section 8, Independent Reviewing Officer's Responsibilities). |
Health Care Assessments and Plans | A link has been added to Children's Attachment: Attachment in Children and Young People who are Adopted from Care, in Care or at High Risk of Going into Care - NICE Guidelines (NG26). This guideline covers the identification, assessment and treatment of attachment difficulties in children and young people up to age 18 who are adopted from care, in special guardianship, looked after by local authorities in foster homes (including kinship foster care), residential settings and other accommodation, or on the edge of care. It aims to address the many emotional and psychological needs of children and young people in these situations, including those resulting from maltreatment. |
Inter Country Adoption | Section 3, Initial Meeting the DfE have published Intercountry Adoption and Resident Status Requirements which set out the minimum requirements, however entry clearance requirements vary depending upon the circumstances of each case and prospective adopters will need to obtain their own independent legal advice to establish the requirements that apply to their individual circumstances. In Section 4, Formal Application, a link was added to Intercountry adoption: means test form which contains information on how to apply for a fee reduction for people who wish to adopt a child from overseas and who earn £45,000 per year or less. In Section 12, After Approval information has been added on the Intercountry Adoption Forms: checklist for adoption which details the paperwork adoption agencies must include in the intercountry adoption applications they submit to DfE. |
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | The DfE has updated the Special Guardianship Guidance to include details of the Adoption Support Fund as the Fund now covers therapeutic support for children, living in England, who were previously in care immediately before the making of a Special Guardianship Order. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Relinquished Children | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Junior Individual Saving Accounts for Looked After Children | This chapter has been added to the manual. |