Amendments

CAPTION: April 2024 Amendments

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Resolving Professional Disagreements (2024)	This policy has been updated.
Transfer Policy (2024)	This policy has been updated.
Quality Assurance Framework (2024)	This framework has been updated.
Families with No Recourse to Public Funds	Section 5.2.5, Providing Support has been updated to reflect the Home Office increase in financial support to individuals waiting to find out if they will be given asylum in the UK.
Family and Friends Care	This chapter has been updated to reflect Championing Kinship Care: The National Kinship Care strategy. In addition Section 4, Different Situations whereby Children may be Living with Family and Friend Carers was updated to include information about Ukrainian children being cared for my family and friends in the UK.
Young Carers	This chapter has been refreshed.
Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983	Section 2, Ordinary Residence has been updated in line with case law.
Placements in Residential Care	This chapter has been updated to include information from Guidance - Placing Children: Deprivation of Liberty Orders - guidance for providers, social workers and placement commissioners on placing children, subject to a deprivation of liberty order (DoL), in unregistered settings and President of the Family Division Practice Guidance: Placements in Unregistered Children’s Homes in England or Unregistered Care Home Services in Wales.
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 throughout in line with Revised Practice Guidance on the Court’s Approach to Unregistered Placements (October 2023) and Revised National Listing Protocol for Applications that Seek Deprivation of Liberty Orders Relating to Children under the Inherent Jurisdiction. It has also been updated to include information from Guidance - Placing Children: Deprivation of Liberty Orders - guidance for providers, social workers and placement commissioners on placing children, subject to a deprivation of liberty order (DoL), in unregistered settings.
Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After Children	This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read.
Health and Safety	Additional information has been added about online safety.
Staying Put Policy	The Staying Put Policy has been updated.
Scheme of Delegation (Casework)	This chapter has been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
LADO Referral Process	This document has been added to the manual.
Lancashire Lasting Homes Protocol	This procedure has been added to the manual.
Placement Finding Procedures (Local Procedure)	This procedure has been added to the manual.
Supporting the Education for Children on a CP/CIN Plan (2024)	This document has been added to the manual.

November 2023

CAPTION: November 2023 Amendments

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Capacity and Consent	Amendments have been made to reflect case-law in relation to assessing legal capacity.
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline	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.
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities	Information has been added into Section 15, Resolving Disagreements in relation to legal aid for foster carers and prospective adoptive parents in First Tier Tribunal appeals. It has also been updated to include information from Guidance: Area SEND Inspections Framework and Handbook (November 2022).
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery	Information has been added in to Section 4, Assessment in relation to the National Age Assessment Board.
16/17 Years Homeless Leaflet (2023)	This leaflet has been updated.
Decision to Look After	Section 3, Section 20 Accommodation has been updated in line with case-law.
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.
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).
Placements in Other Arrangements	This chapter has been updated and should be re-read.
Health Care Assessments and Plans	This chapter has been updated and should be re-read.
Health and Safety	Information has been added into Section 6, Diet, Nutrition and Allergies, in relation to allergies.
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.
Leaving Care and Preparation for Adulthood	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 was also revised to include information from the revised Ofsted inspection framework.
Staying Put Policy	This policy has been updated and a link to the Staying Put Financial Assessment has also been added.
Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance	This chapter has been updated.
Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already Adopted	This chapter has been amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education. New Section 2, The Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern has been added.
Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters	This chapter has been refreshed and a link added to National Early Permanence Practice Standards (Coram Centre for Early Permanence).
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders	Information has been added into Section 6.2, Special Guardianship Applications in Care Proceedings in relation to timing of assessments.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
ICPC Booking Form	This form has been added to the manual.
Children with Disabilities Service – Criteria for Assessment and Support	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Crisis and Unregulated Homes Guidance	This guidance has been added to the manual.
Ofsted Inspection Framework	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Removed Chapters
Lancashire County Council Missing from Home Policy Lancashire County Council Missing from Home Process Lancashire County Council Protocol and Process for Missing from Home Panel

April 2023

CAPTION: April 2023 Amendments

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
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. In Relevant Guidance, a link has been added to Pre-proceedings and Family Justice Hub (Research in Practice).
Case Records and Retention	This chapter has been updated in relation to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.
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.
Placements Outside England and Wales	Section 3, Placements in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and 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.
Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management	This chapter has been amended to incorporate Ofsted feedback. Additional information has been added into Section 2, Positive Behaviour Support and Section 5.4, Recording of Sanctions.
Leaving Care and Preparation for Adulthood	This chapter has been updated throughout.
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.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Resolving Professional Disagreements (2022)	This document has been added to the manual.
Participation	This link has been added to the manual.

October 2022

CAPTION: October 2022 Amendments

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
How we Practice in Children's Services	This document has been updated and should be re-read.
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.
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.
Corporate Parenting Strategy	This document has been updated and should be re-read.
Lancashire's Promises: Children in Care and Care Leavers	This document has been updated and should be re-read.
Lancashire CLA Sufficiency Strategy (2021 - 2024)	This document has been updated and should be re-read.
Decision to Look After	This chapter has been revised and the functions of making the decision to Look After a child and Care Planning have been separated.
Care Planning	This chapter has been revised and the functions of making the decision to Look After a child and Care Planning have been separated.
Placements in Foster Care	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 Section 4, Placement Planning).
Placements in Residential Care	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 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.
Family Time / Contact	Section 3, Supervised Family Time / 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. A link to Childnet Toolkit for parents and carers has also been added into Relevant Guidance.
Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children	This chapter has been updated to reflect Keeping Children Safe in Education. Schools should have policies and processes in place to ensure all concerns about all adults working in or on behalf of the school or college (including supply teachers, volunteers and contractors) are dealt with promptly and appropriately. See Section 8.3, Protecting Children with a Social Worker, Looked After Children and Previously Looked After Children from Adults Who May Pose a Risk to Them and/or Other Children in the School.
Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management	This chapter has been updated throughout.
Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint	This chapter has been given a general refresh.
Leaving Care and Preparation for Adulthood	This chapter has been given a general refresh.
Staying Put Policy	These documents have been updated.
Care Leaver Practice Guidance	This document has been updated.
Fostering Panel	This chapter has been updated throughout.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Equality and Diversity	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Multi-Agency Interventions for Lancashire Children who are CME, PME/Low Attenders or Excluded from Education	This document has been added to the manual.
Leisure Activities	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Providing Personalised Care	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Risk Assessment and Planning	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Health and Safety	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Leaving Care Practice Guidance	This document has been added to the manual.
Training and Development of Foster Carers	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Removed Chapters
Protocol for Support Post 21; Equality, Cohesion and Integration Strategy 2014-2017.

June 2022

CAPTION: June 2022

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Decision to Look After and Care Planning	The Lancashire Care Planning Protocol has been added.
Staying Put Policy	Staying Put Policy has been updated.

May 2022

CAPTION: May 2022

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Permanence Policy	This chapter has been updated and should be re-read.

April 2022

CAPTION: April 2022

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
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. A link to the updated Assessment and Planning Framework – Family Safeguarding has been added.
Lancashire Guidance on Chronologies	This guidance has been updated and should be re-read.
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline	This chapter has been updated and should be re-read.
Legal Gateway/Planning Meetings	This chapter has been updated and should be re-read.
Notification of Significant Events	The document Notification of Significant Event has been updated.
Supervision Policy	This policy has been 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.
Placements with Parents	A link has been added to the Public Law Working Group Best Practice Guidance.
Children in our Care Reviews	This chapter has been given a refresh in line with local guidance. The Problem Resolution Process has been updated and is now the Outcome Resolution Process.
Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing Officers	This chapter has been refreshed throughout in line with local guidance.
Secure Accommodation Reviews	This chapter has been given a refresh in line with local guidance.
Education of 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.
Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK	This chapter has been updated and should be re-read.
Restrictive Physical Intervention	A link has been added to Ofsted Guidance: Positive Environments Where Children Can Flourish.
Life Story Work	The Lancashire County Council Life Story Work Procedure has been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Multi-Agency Pre-Birth Protocol - Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and Lancashire Children's Safeguarding Assurance Partnership	This protocol has been added to the manual.
Supervision Procedure	This procedure has been added to the manual.
Supervision Guidance	This guidance has been added to the manual.
Care Leavers Joint Housing Protocol	This protocol has been added to the manual.
Staying Put Policy	This policy has been added to the manual.

November 2021

CAPTION: November 2021

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Capacity and Consent	Section 4.3, Consent to the Use of Medication to Suppress Puberty has been updated and 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.
Assessments	An updated version of local guidance Allocation / Child and Family Assessment Process – Guidance (February 2021) has been added.
Transfer Policy (2021)	This policy has been updated.
Child[ren] in Need of Support	Minor amendments were made throughout in line with local practice.
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline	This chapter has 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.
Lancashire Pre Proceedings Protocol	This protocol has been updated.
Section 7 and Section 37 Reports	A link has been added to local guidance in the Local Resources section.
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 Further Information and Statutory Guidance).
Short Breaks	Information has been added in to 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	Minor amendments have been made in line with the UK''s exit from the EEA. A link has been added to the Independent Child Trafficking Guardians Referral Form. In areas where the ICTG service has been implemented, if the social worker considers a child to be a potential victim of modern slavery, they should refer them to the ICTG service by completing the online referral form. 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.
Families with No Recourse to Public Funds	This guidance has been reviewed and updated throughout.
Family and Friends Care	A new Section 7, Education has been added and information has been 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.
Placement Stability and Disruption Meetings	This has been updated throughout.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children	This chapter has been updated to reflect case-law setting out lessons for the future in non-notification cases.
Placements with Parents	Section 1, Planned Placements has been updated to add information on placements in 'other arrangements'.
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.
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.
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.
Care Leaver Practice Guidance	This guidance has been updated.
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.
Scheme of Delegation (Casework)	This document has been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Strengths Based Initial Child Protection Conferences	This document has been added to the procedures manual.
Child Protection Conference Decisions and Multi-Disciplinary Working in Family Safeguarding Model	This document has been added to the procedures manual.
Strengths Based Review Child Protection Conferences	This document has been added to the procedures manual.
Agenda for Review Child Protection Conferences	This document has been added to the procedures manual.
Suggested Questions for Parents for Review Child Protection Conferences	This document has been added to the procedures manual.
Stepdown from Child Protection Plan	This document has been added to the procedures manual.
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.
Joint Working Agreement between Children's Social Care and Lancashire Child and Youth Justice Service	This document has been added to the procedures manual.
Removed Chapters
Care Planning Protocol (within the Children Act 1989, Adoption and Children Act and Revised Public Law Outline 2013).

April 2021

CAPTION: April 2021

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Capacity and Consent	This guidance 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.
Contacts and Referrals	Minor amendments have been made to reflect changes in terminology; references to Common Assessment Framework / CAF have been replaced with Early Help Assessment and Child in Need has been updated to Child in Need of support.
Assessments	Links to a Guide for Parents Involved in the Assessment Process and A Guide to the Assessment Process for Children and Young People have been added. See Section 5, Planning and Process of the Child and Family Assessment.
Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)	Section 4, Outcomes of a Section 47 Enquiry has been updated to include a new subsection covering the actions required when Concerns of Significant Harm Are Substantiated but the Child Is Not Judged to be Suffering, or Likely to Suffer, Significant Harm.
Lancashire Guidance on Chronologies	This guidance which explains what a chronology is, when one should be created, who should write it and what it should include has been updated throughout.
Child[ren] in Need of Support	This chapter has been extensively updated. Section 3, Child in Need Planning & Review Meetings has been rewritten and Section 4, Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is new.
Legal Planning Meetings	Minor amendments have been made in Section 3, Who can Convene Legal Planning Meetings to reflect the process used locally to determine if a meeting should be held to consider the need for legal proceedings.
Section 7 and Section 37 Reports	A link has been added to Good Practice Guidance produced by ADCS and Cafcass on determining whether Cafcass or a local authority should prepare a section 7 report.
Complaints and Representations	Information contained in this procedure has been reviewed and refreshed as required.
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.
Families with No Recourse to Public Funds	This guidance has been reviewed and updated throughout.
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 guidance has been updated with a link to the publication Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leavers: good practice advice (DfE and MHCLG) which seeks to support the development of joint protocols that can help local authorities to meet the accommodation needs of care leavers (see 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 also been updated following publication of revised DfE guidance.
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).
Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records	This guidance has been given a general refresh throughout and information added on applying for a copy of a birth certificate online.
Removed Chapters
Section 47 Child Protection Enquiries Flowchart; Aide memoire: A Quick Guide to the Purpose of, and good practice, in Children's Social Care's Core Tasks; Definition of Complex Child in Need.

October 2020

CAPTION: October 2020

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Assessments	This guidance has been updated throughout to new ways of working in Lancashire using the Family Safeguarding Model.
Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)	A new document 'Referring into Complex Safeguarding Team has been added. The document summarises the process for completing a Child Exploitation Referral form on LCS in order to request a Complex Safeguarding assessment and support from the team.
Notification 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.
Recording Policy and Guidelines	This chapter has been amended. Section 2, Background and Overarching Principles and Section 3, The Purpose of Case Recording are new.
Written Agreements	This guidance has been reviewed and updated to clarify best practice around the use of written agreements, including when they can be used, the importance of developing them in conjunction with parents / carers, ensuring they fully understand what is expected of them and always including a Contingency Plan.
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.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Capacity and Consent	This new chapter offers guidance in relation to the various situations in which consent is likely to be sought, with reference to previous legal judgements. This is a potentially complex practice arena and if the practitioner is in any doubt about gaining consent they should always seek further advice from managers and legal advice must be sought as necessary.
Storage of Data on Mobile Devices	This chapter provides guidance on the storage of personal data (including photographs) on mobile devices. 'Personal data' is any information about an identifiable living individual. 'Mobile devices' includes memory sticks, mobile telephones including smartphones, tablet technologies, netbooks and laptops.
Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff	The use of social media in a social care and safeguarding environment is a developing area. Cases and reviews have discussed the use of social media in social work practice. There is, however, currently no specific government guidance on the issue. This chapter is designed to highlight some of the issues to be considered, with links to additional information. It is not intended to provide any legal advice, and legal advice must be sought as appropriate. Local Authorities and Courts may have local protocols in place on the use of social media/service of document.

April 2020

CAPTION: April 2020

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles	Section 2, How we Practice in Children's Services has been updated to include information on the Lancashire children, young people and families' partnership vision which is based around five outcomes, five partnership priorities, five partnership ways of working and five partnership measures of impact.
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, (May 2019) (see Section 1, Introduction).
Notification of Significant Events	This guidance has been reviewed throughout and extensively updated to reflect the latest guidance from Ofsted in relation to the notification of serious events.
Recording Policy and Guidelines	This chapter has been amended to reflect a Blog written 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	A note has been added into Section 1, Principles to draw attention to OFSTED's advice that Local Authorities should exercise due diligence in ensuring schools for pupils with SEND are registered with the DFE.
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery	This guidance has been updated to take account of the new NRM digital referral form to report Modern Slavery.
Permanence Policy	This policy has been updated and should be re-read.
Placements with Connected Persons	Section 5, Assessment and Approval of Connected Persons as Foster Carer has been updated to include a link to a new document which summarises changes to the Placements with Family and Friend's Protocol, and referral for assessments. The changes have been recommended by the Family Court.
Secure Accommodation Reviews	This chapter has been reviewed and updated to emphasise 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. Clarifying whether the criteria for keeping a child in secure accommodation are met must come before a Looked After Review so the decision can inform the Looked After Review. The reviews must be chaired by different individuals.
Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children	This chapter has been updated to reflect Keeping Children Safe in Education 2019. Section 8, Safeguarding the Looked After Child at School has been amended to include reference to Upskirting (which is now a criminal offence) and serious violence. In Section 1.3, Role of the Local Authority, Virtual School Head (VSH), and School, OFSTED's advice that Local Authorities should exercise due diligence in ensuring schools attended by Looked After Children are registered with the DFE has been noted.
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).
Allegations Against Foster Carers	This chapter has been reviewed and refreshed, and terminology has been updated where required.
Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive Placements	A link to the updated Adoption Allowance Policy has been added.
Life Story Work	The Life Story Work protocol sets out the expectations and process for all looked after children and young people with a plan of permanence to have Life Story work completed. It sets out the roles and responsibilities for social workers and carers and contains a template which should be used to record details of the child's life so far.
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.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Case Summary and Top Tips	Case summaries are an important overview of a child or young person's (CYP's) life, status and journey. All CYP open to Children's Social Care should have a case summary on their file, which is updated at least every 3 months or after a significant event. The guidance describes the four headings which should be used when completing a case summary.
Junior ISAs and Child Trust Funds	Young people who have been in care for 12 months consecutively are entitled to a Junior ISA and/ or a Child Trust Fund. Please review the information and complete the required forms to ensure that young people can receive the maximum amount that they are entitled to. This new guidance explains the process for adding funds to a young person's Child Trust Fund or Junior ISA.
Children Looked After with Disabilities Living in Foster Care; Financial Requirements and Benefits - Transition Arrangements	This new section provides a visual summary of the benefits available for disabled children who are living in foster placements. It also summaries the transition arrangements as they near 18 years.

October 2019

CAPTION: October 2019

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	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.
Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child In Need)	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.
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery	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.
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 of this Chapter).
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.
Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children	This chapter has been substantially updated and it should be read in its entirety.
Health Care Assessments and Plans	Section 3.5, Consent to Health Care Assessments has been updated.
Leaving Care and Transition	Amendments have been made in: Section 5, Leaving Care Assessment of Need - in relation to children who are victims of trafficking or unaccompanied asylum seeking children; Section 7, Reviews of Pathway Plans - in relation to Relevant/Former Relevant young people moving to 'unregulated' accommodation; and Section 8, Personal Advisers - in relation to frequency of visits by Personal Advisers.
Staying Put	This document has been updated.
The Role of the Personal Advisor	This document has been updated.
Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters	This chapter ha 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).
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders	This chapter has been reviewed.
Scheme of Delegation (Casework)	This document has been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Transfer Process	This document has been added to the manual.
Section 17	This document has been added to the manual.
Notification of Significant Events	This link has been added to the manual.
Supervision	This document has been added to the manual.
Induction and Supervision	This link has been added to the manual.
Homelessness Protocol - YP Consent Form	This document has been added to the manual.
Supported Accommodation Privacy Notice	This document has been added to the manual.
7MB Young Carers	This document has been added to the manual.
Corporate Parenting Strategy	This document has been added to the manual.
Lancashire's Promises: Children in Care and Care Leavers	This document has been added to the manual.
Discharge of Care Order Policy	This document has been added to the manual.
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.
Financial Arrangements for Care Leavers	This document has been added to the manual.
Care Leaver Practice Guidance	This guidance has been added to the manual.
Lancashire CSC Intranet	This link has been added to the manual.
Children's Services Practice Statements	This document has been added to the manual.
Lancashire Our Vision Poster	This document has been added to the manual.

April 2019

CAPTION: April 2019

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Continuum of Need and Thresholds Guidance	This chapter has been updated.
Assessments	This chapter has been revised to reflect updated guidance on Assessment in Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)	This chapter has been updated to provide guidance as to how advocates should be used to support children and young people who are involved in child protection conferences.
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). In Relevant Guidance, a link has been added to Research in Practice supporting information and guidance on the Social Work Evidence template (SWET).
Care Planning Protocol (within the Children Act 1989, Adoption and Children Act and Revised Public Law Outline 2013)	This document has been updated.
Section 7 and Section 37 Reports	This chapter has been amended to clarify arrangements for child protection plans where there are also private court proceedings.
Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child In Need)	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 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). It has also be reviewed and updated following the introduction of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.
Access to Records / Subject Access Requests	This chapter has been updated and should be read in its entirety.
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.
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.
Family and Friends Care	This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. Please review in conjunction with the Placement with Family and Friends Protocol
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.
Placements with Connected Persons	This chapter has been updated to incorporate the Placements with Family and Friends Protocol.
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).
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.
Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children	This chapter has been updated, in particular with regards to social work visits must take place at least once a week, thereafter at intervals of not more than four weeks (the statutory requirement is six weeks but in Lancashire good practice is four weeks).
Advocacy and Independent Visitors	This chapter has been updated in order to remind practitioners of the importance of considering referring to the Advocacy Agency when working with children and young people.
Looked After Children's 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.
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 s/he is 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.
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.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Children and Family Wellbeing Service	This pdf has been added to the manual and replaces the previous chapter Prevention and Early Help Service.
Section 47 Child Protection Enquiries Flowchart	This pdf has been added to the manual.
Re-escalation of cases to Childrens Social Care	This pdf has been added to the manual.
Aide memoire: A Quick Guide to the Purpose of, and good practice, in Children's Social Care's Core Tasks	This document has been added to the manual.
Multi-Agency Care Planning Protocol	This document has been added to the manual.
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 added to the manual.
ART Process	This pdf has been added to the manual.
Placement Finding Process	This pdf has been added to the manual.
Protocol for Support Post 21	This document has been added to the manual.
The Role of the Personal Advisor	This pdf has been added to the manual and replaces the previous chapter The Professional Personal Advisor Teams.

October 2018

CAPTION: October 2018

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Direct Payments	This chapter has been replaced and should be re-read.
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery	This chapter has been replaced and should be re-read.
Housing and Homelessness	This chapter has been updated including the addition of the additional guidance and flowcharts.
Family and Friends Care	This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read.
Placements in Foster Care	A link to 'Top Tips in Writing a Good Referral' has been added to this chapter.
Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children	This chapter has been updated, in particular with regards to social work visits must take place at least once a week, thereafter at intervals of not more than four weeks (the statutory requirement is six weeks but in Lancashire good practice is four weeks).
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 updated and should be re-read.
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders	Leaflets, letters and flowcharts have been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Written Agreements	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Covert Surveillance	This document has been added to the manual.
Equality, Cohesion and Integration Strategy 2014-2017	This document has been added to the manual.

May 2018

CAPTION: May 2018

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Referrals	This chapter has been revised to set out in more detail the timetable and partnership requirements associated with effectively managing contacts and referrals.
Child in Need Plans and Reviews	Section 2, Child in Need Plans has been updated to reflect that when a child ceases to be the subject of a Child Protection Plan, a Child in Need Plan is likely to be necessary for a minimum of three months in order that the child and family continue to receive services. In exceptional circumstances, a CiN Plan may not be required; for examples, if the child is removed from home or the risk has been entirely reduced (the source of the risk is gone/ a Special Guardianship Order has been acquired etc.).
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 Asylum Seeking Children	Section 3, Assessment has been updated with regards to in advance of undertaking an age assessment for an unaccompanied asylum seeking child, local authorities must seek Home Office assistance with verifying the authenticity of identity documents e.g. travel documents or a birth certificate. A link to the relevant contact details for local authorities has been added. The statutory guidance has been updated to link to the (DfE 2017) Care of Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Modern Slavery – statutory guidance for local authorities. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 is referenced in relation to age assessments.
Housing and Homelessness	This chapter has been updated including the addition of the additional guidance and flowcharts.
Private Fostering	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout.
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 bee 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.
Looked After Children's 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).
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: 5.39 and Standard 14 (14.9) Fostering panels and the fostering service's decision-maker.
Placement for Adoption	This chapter has been 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 also been updated to reflect the additional consideration (added by s.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 s.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.
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout.
Contacts	These details have been updated.
Scheme of Delegation (Casework)	These details have been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Family Group Conference	This booklet has been added to the manual. It has been designed as guidance for children, young people, families, kinship network and professionals who will be involved in the family group conference process.
Lancashire County Council Missing from Home Policy	This policy has been added to the manual. It shows the basic pathway for information to enter the authority, our required actions to take place, and the management oversight and quality review of this work.
Lancashire County Council Missing from Home Process	This document has been added to the manual. It shows the processes and recording requirements to ensure the authority complies with its safeguarding and statutory duties.
Lancashire County Council Protocol and Process for Missing from Home Panel	This protocol has been added to the manual. It sets sets out the arrangement for a multi-agency panel which will consider children and young people who: Repeatedly go missing/absent (reported or unreported); Remain missing; Are identified as at risk of exploitation while missing; Are also frequently missing from education.
Deprivations of Liberty	This procedure should be used by practitioners working with children and young people under the age of 18, where a deprivation of liberty may be occurring.
Mental Capacity Act	This link has been added to the manual.
Section 20 Charging Policy	This policy has been added to the manual.
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire Guidance Note	This briefing note has been added to the manual.

November 2017

CAPTION: November 2017

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child In Need)	This chapter has been updated in line with the requirement to notify Ofsted of any serious childcare incident using the Ofsted online notification form.
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 Relevant Guidance to guidance on SEND: 19- to 25-year-olds' entitlement to EHC plans (DfE 2017).
Families with No Recourse to Public Funds	A link has been added to NRPF Network - Securing British Citizenship for looked after children in the Relevant Guidance and Information section.
Family and Friends Care	A link has been added in the Relevant Legislation and Guidance Section to Family Rights Group - Initial Family and Friends Care Assessment: A Good Practice Guide. This guide sets out best practice as to how viability assessments should be conducted.
Private Fostering	This chapter has been amended in Section 1, Definition clarity has been added 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 extensively updated in and should be read throughout.
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).
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 extensively updated and should be read throughout.
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.
Change of Name of a Looked After Child	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
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.
Inter Country Adoption	In 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 has been 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	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Contacts	This chapter has been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Definition of Complex Child in Need	This chapter has been added to the manual.

October 2017

CAPTION: October 2017

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Scheme of Delegation (Casework)	This chapter has been updated.
Contacts	These details have been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Definition of Complex Child in Need	This document has been added to the manual.

July 2017

CAPTION: July 2017

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Recording Policy and Guidelines	Section 5.2, Recording Visits has been updated to reflect that visits should be recorded within five working days.
Short Breaks	Section 6, Social Work Visits has been updated to reflect that Situation 3 visits must take place thereafter, at intervals of no more than four weeks for the first year (the statutory requirement is six weeks but in Lancashire good practice is four weeks).
Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children	This chapter has been updated, in particular with regards to social work visits must take place at least once a week, thereafter at intervals of not more than four weeks (the statutory requirement is six weeks but in Lancashire good practice is four weeks).

May 2017

CAPTION: May 2017

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Recording Policy and Guidelines	This chapter has been updated, in particular Section 5.2, Recording Visits has been amended - explicit reference should be made to risk identified within the CP, CIN or Care Plan, and whether this risk remains relevant or has changed, reduced or increased.
Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children	This chapter has been updated, in particular Section 5, Recording has been amended to state specific reference to risks and what these may be for the child need to be clearly referenced. Risks such as CSE, missing from home, self-harm or contact with certain associates or family. To reference whether this risk has reduced, increased or remained static and what actions are being taken or proposed to address this.

April 2017

CAPTION: April 2017

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)	Section 1, Initiating Section 47 Enquiries has been updated to include the Strategy Discussion/Meeting should as a minimum include Health, Education and Police.
Child in Need Plans and Reviews	Section 4, Child in Need/Statutory Visits – Guidance for Recording has been added.
Recording Policy and Guidelines	This chapter has been updated including the addition of Section 17, Project Accuracy.
Case Records and Retention	A note has been added to Section 2, Retention and Confidentiality of Records with regards to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (GODDARD INQUIRY) and retention of records.
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities	Section 3, Local Offer has been updated with a link to Lancashire's Local Offer.
Placements in Secure Accommodation	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 4.1, Placement Request, Identification and Approval).
Looked After Children's 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).
Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing Officers	This chapter has been updated in relation to the role of the Independent Reviewing Officer in line with the Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. In particular, the IRO being sensitive to the close and active involvement of parents of a child looked after in a series of Short Breaks and problem-solving where there might be difficulties or issues.
Staying Put	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Care Planning Protocol (within the Children Act 1989, Adoption and Children Act and Revised Public Law Outline 2013)	This document applies to: Children subject to Child Protection Plans where no sufficient change has been made despite significant support; All children subject to pre-proceedings protocol; All children subject to Public Law care proceedings with the aim of identifying those children for whom twin-tracking or a concurrency placement is identified; Local Authority Statement of Evidence submitted to Court and Section 7 and Section 37 reports.
Section 7 and Section 37 Reports	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Fabricated or Induced Illness	A link has been added to this information on the Pan Lancashire SCB Procedures Manual.
Children's Social Care Service Practice Standards	These practice standards play a vital role in making Lancashire County Council a child friendly community where children feel safe, where joint working to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable children, will improve, and where compliance is evidenced.
Generic Induction Booklet for Children's Social Care	This induction pack has been prepared as a working document which should be completed during the first two weeks in employment.
Staff Induction	This link has been added to the manual.
ASYE CYP Documents and Guidance	This link has been added to the manual.
Inspection Audit Framework	The purpose of this robust file audit framework is to ensure that positive outcomes for vulnerable children and young people in Lancashire are achieved through high quality social are practice and compliance with procedures.
Criteria for Allocation of a Child or Young Person to a Social Worker in the Special Educational Needs (SEND) Children with Disabilities Team	This document details the criteria used.
Lancashire's Local Offer	The local offer brings together information for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families.
Homeless 16 and 17 Year Olds	This protocol has been agreed between Lancashire County Council and the 12 District housing authority partners. It outlines the joint responsibilities of Children's Social Care and District Housing Authority partners concerning the assessment of need and provision of accommodation services to homeless 16/17 year olds.
Child Arrangements Orders	A Child Arrangements Order means a court order regulating arrangements relating to any of the following: With whom a child is to live, spend time or otherwise have contact; and When a child is to live, spend time or otherwise have contact with any person.
Child Arrangements Order Allowances	This chapter deals with the assessment and management of allowances relating to Child Arrangements Orders.

April 2016

CAPTION: April 2016

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Strategy Discussions	Section 2, Timing of Strategy Discussions/Meetings has been updated to reflect that the strategy discussion should be completed within 24 hours of the start date, and recorded on LCS. Any face to face Strategy Meeting held using the template provided within these procedures, should be sent to documentum on LCS.
Care Planning Protocol (within the Children Act 1989, Adoption and Children Act and revised Public Law Outline 2013)	This chapter has been updated and should be read throughout.
Inspection Audit Framework	Appendix 1: File Audit Tool – word based document has been updated.
Decision to Look After and the Care Plan	This chapter has been updated as a result of the President of the Family Division, Sir James Munby's guidance with regard to obtaining parental consent for children accommodated through Section 20 of the 1989 Children Act. Also, his concerns about bringing such matters to court where this is required. There are new sections and amendments as a result. (See: Section 1.3, Section 20 Accommodation; Section 1.3.1, Obtaining Parental Consent; Section 1.3.2, Recording Parental Consent and Section 1.3.3, The use of Section 20 prior to Court Proceedings).
Placements in Foster Care	This chapter has been updated to reflect the 2015 Statutory Guidance The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. A new Section 6, Long-Term Foster Placements has been added.
Secure Accommodation Criteria Reviews	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Administration of Medication in Children's Establishments	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Staying Put	This chapter has been updated and replaces the former chapter called Leaving Care and Staying Put Policy and Procedure.
Social Worker Visits	This chapter has been updated to reflect the revised visiting requirements in respect of long term foster placements as set out in The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review.
Adoption Panel	This chapter has been updated to include the Panel is quorate with 5 people (or 6 people if it is a joint panel); the chair is an independent person; the panel List must be maintained by a senior social worker with at least 5 years' experience.
Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adoptive Parents	Links have been added to Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers: Amendments to the Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations and Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review.
Intermediary Services	This chapter has been updated to include if, at any time, the intermediary agency ascertains that the subject of an application is under the age of 18, it must not proceed further with the application.
Court Reports in Adoption/Special Guardianship	Section 3, Special Guardianship – Matters to be Dealt with in Report to Court, has been revised and updated to reflect the enhanced assessment and reporting requirements (for all applications made from 29 February 2016 as set out in the Special Guardianship (Amendment) Regulations 2016
Short Breaks	This chapter has been fully updated to bring it in line with the Children and Families Act 2014, DfE, Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0-25 years Statutory Guidance for Organisations who work with Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (2015) and DfE, The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review.
Permanence Planning for Looked After Children	This chapter has been updated to reflect the 2015 Statutory Guidance The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Young Carers	This chapter deals with the recognition and response to Young Carers.
Young Carers Support Services	This chapter deals with the support available for Young Carers in Lancashire.
Ceasing to Look After a Child	This chapter reflects the statutory guidance 'Ceasing to look after a child' in 'Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations (2015)' as amended by the 'Care Planning and Fostering (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2015' together with Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015.
Placement and Assessment of Siblings	This chapter deals with the assessment and decision making with regards to siblings.
Generic Induction Booklet for Children's' Social Care	This booklet is for all new starters with Children's' Social Care.
Practice Standards	These standards describe the minimum service or practice required by staff.
ASYE CYP Documents and Guidance	This intranet link has been added.

October 2015

CAPTION: October 2015

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline	A link has been added to Practice Direction 25b – The Duties of an Expert, The Expert's Report and Arrangements for an Expert to Attend Court into Relevant Guidance.
Whistleblowing	Relevant Guidance has been added.
Placements in Secure Accommodation	Relevant Guidance has been added.
Placements with Parents and/or Those Holding Child Arrangements Orders Immediately before the Care Order	Section 1.9, Ending of Placement has been updated.
Out of Area Placements Procedure	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation	This chapter has been extensively updated.
Administration of Medication in Children's Establishments	This chapter has been extensively updated.
Health Care Assessments and Education, Health and Care Plans	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Contact Policy, Procedure and Practice Guidance for Children Looked After	The Relevant Guidance section has been added.
Leaving Care and Transition - under review	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Leaving Care Staying Put Policy and Procedures - under review	Relevant Guidance has been added.
Monitoring Quality	This chapter has been extensively updated.
Child Trust Funds and Junior Individual Savings Accounts (ISA's) for Looked After Children	This chapter has been updated to reflect the increase in the annual limit on contributions and from April 2015, money held in Child Trust Funds will be able to be transferred into Junior ISA's.
Support and Supervision of Foster Carers	A link has been added to the Transfer of Foster Carers Protocol England (2014).
Private Fostering Procedure	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Social Workers' Practice Guide to Private Fostering	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Placement for Adoption	This chapter has been updated. Section 9.18 has been added to include, if the Adoption Plan is terminated, the prospective adopters will be informed in writing with a full explanation of the reasons and information on how to complain about that decision.
Children and Young People Aged 0 - 25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Asylum Seeking Children and Local Authority Statutory Duties Section 17 of the Children Act 1989	Relevant Guidance has been added.
Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services	This chapter has been extensively updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
The International Child Abduction and Contact Unit	This chapter details the role of The International Child Abduction and Contact Unit.
Working with Foreign Authorities: Child Protection Cases and Care Orders Departmental Advice for Local Authorities, Social Workers, Service Managers and Children's Services Lawyers July 2014	This non-statutory advice from the Department for Education provides: A set of principles for social workers working on child protection cases and care orders, where the child has links to a foreign country[1]; A summary of the main international legislation; Guidance on agencies and organisations that social workers can seek help and advice from, or provide information to when working on these cases; and Sign-posts to other relevant guidance.
Permanence Panels	The Permanence Panel will initially focus on children placed in long term fostering and residential placements.
LCS Guide to Private Fostering	This Guide to Private Fostering has been added.
Short Breaks	This chapter details assessment of need and provision of services in relation to short breaks.
Short Breaks Service Statement	A link to this statement has been added.
Families with no Recourse to Public Funds	This chapter details the role of the local authority in regards to working with families with no recourse to public funds.

February 2015

CAPTION: February 2015

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Emergency Protection Orders	This chapter has been updated in line with revised guidance, the revised family justice and courts system, and a new Section 6, Powers to Assist in Discovery of Children Who May Be in Need of Emergency Protection has been added.
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline	This chapter details information including pre-proceedings and starting care or supervision proceedings and the documentation required. It reflects the overhaul of the family justice system in 2014. Key to these changes is the expectation that care proceedings will be completed within 26 weeks.
Care Planning Protocol (within the Children Act 1989, Adoption and Children Act 2002 and revised Public Law Outline 2013)	This chapter has been updated and should be read throughout.
Education of Looked After Children	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Leaving Care	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adoptive Parents	This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Families Act 2014 and the overall aim of speeding up the adoption process. The chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. Information has been added in relation to: Fostering for Adoption; Adoption Register; Duty to provide information on adoption support services Ethnicity.
Placement for Adoption	This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Families Act 2014, and the overall aim of speeding up the adoption process. The chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. The main changes are in relation to: The duty to consider Fostering for Adoption placements; The removal of the requirement to give due consideration to a child's religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background when matching a child and prospective adopters; Post-adoption contact; Placing of siblings.
Adoption Support	This chapter has been updated and includes a new Section 2, Duty to Provide Information in line with the Children and Families Act 2014.
Life Story Books	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Permanence Planning for Looked After Children	This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Families Act 2014, and the overall aim of speeding up the adoption process. The chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. The main changes are in relation to adoption, specifically Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Children Looked After (CLA) Strategy 2014 - 2017	This strategy sets out our approach to how we will look after and care for those children and young people who come into the care of Lancashire County Council. The strategy will demonstrate what actions need to be taken to ensure that outcomes for children and young people who are looked after, are improved and that they can go on to lead happy, independent and successful lives.
Leaving Care Strategy 2014 - 2017	Lancashire County Council strives to ensure that all young people leaving care are provided with the very best support to ensure a smooth transition into adulthood and independent living. This strategy links to the priorities set out in the new Children and Young People's Plan 2014 - 2017 which seeks to improve outcomes for all children and young people.
Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters	This procedure deals with placement of a child with carers who are dually approved, i.e. approved both as prospective adopters and as local authority foster carers.
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders	This chapter should be read in conjunction with Permanence Planning Guidance.
Child Arrangements Orders	Child Arrangements Orders were introduced in April 2014 by the Children and Families Act 2014 (which amended Section 8 Children Act 1989). They replace Contact Orders and Residence Orders. This chapter deals with areas including who can apply, directions and conditions.
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities	This procedure sets out the specific provision under the Children and Families Act 2014 in relation to children and young people aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs or disabilities.

LancashireChildren's Social Care Procedures Manual

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