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LancashireChildren's Social Care Procedures Manual

Contents

 

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This contents list is sub divided into the following sections, each Section contains relevant Chapters/Procedures: (Click on the title to jump to the Section you require):

  1. All Children
  2. Case Management and Supervision
  3. Recording
  4. Quality Assurance
  5. Children in Particular Circumstances
  6. Children in Our Care (CioC) and Leaving Care
  7. Fostering and Adoption
  8. Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices


Click here to view Lancashire CSC Intranet.

1. All Children

CAPTION: All children
     

1.1

Policies, Values and Principles
1.1.1 Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles  
1.1.2 Equality and Diversity  
1.1.3 Capacity and Consent  
1.1.4 How we Practice in Children's Services  
1.1.5 Resolving Professional Disagreements (2024) Updated
1.1.6 Confidentiality Policy  
1.1.7 LADO Referral Process New
1.1.8 Lancashire CSC Intranet  
1.1.9 Participation (Intranet Access is Required)  
  See also: Good Practice Supporting the Voice of the Child
(Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and Lancashire Children's Safeguarding Assurance Partnership (CSAP) Procedures)		  


 

1.2

Early Help and Thresholds for Children's Social Care Services

  
1.2.1 Children and Family Wellbeing Service  
1.2.2 Continuum of Need and Thresholds Guidance  
  See also: Early Intervention - Policy and Provision  


 

1.3

Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

  
1.3.1 Contacts and Referrals  
  See also: Internal Request Process  
1.3.2 Assessments  
1.3.3 Children's Social Care - A Guide to the Assessment Process for Children and Young People - under review  
1.3.4 Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)  
  See also: Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and Lancashire Children's Safeguarding Assurance Partnership (CSAP)  
1.3.5 Lancashire Guidance on Chronologies  
1.3.6 Re-escalation of cases to Children's Social Care  
1.3.7 Transfer Policy (2024) Updated
1.3.8 Family Group Conference (Local Resources)  
  See also: Family Group Conference Referral Form (Local Resources)  
1.3.9 Section 17 Policy for Children's Social Care - under review  


 

1.4

Child[ren] in Need of Support

  
1.4.1 Child[ren] in Need of Support  


 

1.5

Initial Child Protection Conferences

  
1.5.1 Strengths Based Initial Child Protection Conferences  
1.5.2 ICPC Booking Form  
  See also: Initial Child Protection Conferences
(Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and Lancashire Children's Safeguarding Assurance Partnership (CSAP) Procedures)		  
1.5.3 Child Protection Conference Decisions and Multi-Disciplinary Working in Family Safeguarding Model  
1.5.4 Strengths Based Review Child Protection Conferences  
  See also: Review Child Protection Conferences
(Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and Lancashire Children's Safeguarding Assurance Partnership (CSAP) Procedures)		  
1.5.5 Agenda for Review Child Protection Conferences  
1.5.6 Suggested Questions for Parents for Review Child Protection Conferences  
1.5.7 Stepdown from Child Protection Plan  


 

1.6

Legal Proceedings

  
1.6.1 Applications for Emergency Protection Orders  
1.6.2 Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline  
  See also: Lancashire Pre Proceedings Protocol  
  and PLO Toolkit (Intranet Access is Required)  
1.6.3 Multi-Agency Care Planning Protocol  
1.6.4 IPA Protocol  
1.6.5 Information Sharing Pathway - The Cove and LCC  
1.6.6 Legal Gateway/Planning Meetings  
1.6.7 Protocol and Good Practice Model: Disclosure of Information in Cases of Alleged Child Abuse and Linked Criminal and Care Direction Hearings (October 2013)  
  See also: Cross-border child protection cases: the 1996 Hague Convention (DfE)  
  and Family Justice Resource Hub (ADCS) - This hosts a series of practical resources, such as templates, tools and practice guidance, which will be of interest to those working in the family justice system.  
1.6.8 Section 7 and Section 37 Reports  


 

1.7

Complaints and Whistleblowing

  
1.7.1 Complaints and Representations  
1.7.2 Whistleblowing (Intranet Access is Required)  


 

1.8

Notifications

  
1.8.1 Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child In Need)  
1.8.2 Notification of Significant Events  


 

1.9

Safeguarding

  
  Note: some of the chapters below are contained in the Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and Lancashire Children's Safeguarding Assurance Partnership (CSAP) Procedures Manual and will open in a new window/tab.  
1.9.1 Multi-Agency Pre-Birth Protocol - Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and Lancashire Children's Safeguarding Assurance Partnership  
1.9.2 Child Sexual Exploitation - Pan Lancashire  
1.9.3 Joint Protocol - Children and Young People who Run Away and Go Missing from Home and Care  
1.9.4 Missing Children and Families (Pan Lancashire Safeguarding Assurance Partnership)  
1.9.5 Multi-Agency Interventions for Lancashire Children who are CME, PME/Low Attenders or Excluded from Education  
1.9.6 Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII)  
1.9.7 Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)  
1.9.8 Radicalisation  
1.9.9 Concealed and Denied Pregnancy Guidance  


 

1.10

Deprivation of Liberty and Mental Capacity

  
1.10.1 Deprivations of Liberty  
1.10.2 Mental Capacity Act  


 

1.11

Cases Crossing Local Authority Boundaries

  
1.11.1 North West ADCS Pre-Care and Care Proceedings Notification and Transfer across Local Authority Boundaries Procedure  
1.11.2 North West ADCS Protocol for Standards in Supervision of Children and Families Social Workers  
1.11.3 North West ADCS Protocol in Relation to Children in Need Moving Across Local Authority Boundaries  
1.11.4 North West ADCS Notification and Transfer of Children Subject of Child Protection Plans across Local Authority Boundaries Procedure  

2. Case Management and Supervision

CAPTION: Case management
     
2.1 Generic Induction Booklet for Children's Social Care  
2.2 Staff Induction  
2.3 ASYE CYP Documents and Guidance  
2.4 Supervision Policy  
2.5 Supervision Procedure  
2.6 Supervision Guidance  
  See also: Induction and Supervision (Intranet Access is Required)  

3. Recording

CAPTION: Recording
     
3.1 Recording Policy and Guidelines  
3.2 Case Summary and Top Tips  
3.3 Case Records and Retention  
3.4 Access to Records / Subject Access Requests  
3.5 Electronic Recording of Meetings  
3.6 Storage of Data on Mobile Devices  
3.7 Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff  

4. Quality Assurance

CAPTION: Quality assurance
     
4.1 Written Agreements  
4.2 Quality Assurance Framework (2024) Updated

5. Children in Particular Circumstances

CAPTION: Particular circumstances
     

5.1

Children with Disabilities
5.1.1 Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities  
5.1.2 Criteria for Allocation of a Child or Young Person to a Social Worker in the Special Educational Needs (SEND) Children with Disabilities (CwD) Team  
5.1.3 Children with Disabilities Service – Criteria for Assessment and Support  
5.1.4 Direct Payments - under review  
5.1.5 Short Breaks  
5.1.6 Lancashire's Local Offer (Lancashire County Council website)  


 

5.2

Children from Abroad

  
5.2.1 Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery  
5.2.2 Families with No Recourse to Public Funds Updated
  See also: Supporting EEA Nationals with Care Needs (NRPF Network)  


 

5.3

Homelessness

  
  Please note - the Joint Housing Protocol is currently being refreshed.  
5.3.1 Housing and Homelessness  
5.3.2 Care Leavers Joint Housing Protocol  
5.3.3 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  
5.3.4 Homelessness Protocol - YP Consent Form  
5.3.5 Supported Accommodation Privacy Notice  
5.3.6 16/17 Years Homeless Leaflet (2023)  


 

5.4

Family and Friends Care

  
5.4.1 Family and Friends Care Updated
5.4.2 Private Fostering  


 

5.5

Young Carers

  
5.5.1 Young Carers Updated
  See also: Young Carers (7 Minute Briefing)  


 

5.6

Relinquished Children

  
5.6.1 Relinquished Children  


 

5.7

Mental Health

  
5.7.1 Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 Updated

6. Children in Our Care (CioC) and Leaving Care

CAPTION: Children in Our Care (CioC) and Leaving Care
     

6.1

Decision to Look After and Care Planning
6.1.1 Corporate Parenting Strategy  
6.1.2 Lancashire's Promises: Children in Care and Care Leavers  
6.1.3 Lancashire CLA Sufficiency Strategy (2021 - 2024)  
6.1.4 Decision to Look After  
6.1.5 Care Planning  
6.1.6 Ceasing to Look After a Child  
6.1.7 Discharge of Care Order Policy  
6.1.8 Permanence Policy  
  See also: Lasting Homes Panel Protocol  
 

For all forms, templates and guidance relating to Permanence please see the Permanence section on the Local Resources page.

  
  See also: Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters  
6.1.9 Placement Stability and Disruption Meetings  
6.1.10 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children  
6.1.11 Junior ISAs and Child Trust Funds  
  See also: NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People  


 

6.2

Placements

  
  See also: Placement Plans Practice Standards  
6.2.1 Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings  
6.2.2 Access to Resources Team (ART) Process  
 

See also: Statutory Visiting Rule for Children Looked After who have a Placement Ratified as Permanent

  
6.2.3 Placements with Parents  
6.2.4 Placements with Connected Persons  
6.2.5 Lancashire Lasting Homes Protocol New
6.2.6 Placements in Foster Care  
  See also: Placement Finding Process  
6.2.7 Placements in Residential Care Updated
6.2.8 Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds Updated
6.2.9 Out of Area Placements  
6.2.10 Placements Outside England and Wales  
6.2.11 Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation  
6.2.12 Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement Providers  
6.2.13 Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers  
6.2.14 Section 20 Charging Policy - under review  
6.2.15 Placements in Other Arrangements  
6.2.16 Placement Finding Procedures (Local Procedure) New
6.2.17 Crisis and Unregulated Homes Guidance  
6.2.18 Lancashire Supported Independent Living Manual  
  See also: Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services  


 

6.3

Monitoring and Reviews

  
6.3.1 Social Worker Visits to Children in Our Care  
6.3.2 Advocacy and Independent Visitors  
6.3.3 Children in our Care Reviews  
6.3.4 Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing Officers  
6.3.5 Secure Accommodation Reviews  
6.3.6 Audit Framework  


 

6.4

Family Time / Contact and Overnight Stays

  
  See also: Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers  
6.4.1 Family Time / Contact  
6.4.2 Overnight Stays and Social Visits  


 

6.5

Education, School Trips and Holidays

  
  See also: Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers  
6.5.1 Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After Children Updated
6.5.2 Supporting the Education for Children on a CP/CIN Plan (2024) New
6.5.3 Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK  
6.5.4 Leisure Activities  


 

6.6

Health and Wellbeing

  
6.6.1 Health Care Assessments and Plans - under review  
6.6.2 Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire Guidance Note  
6.6.3 Personal Care and Relationships  
6.6.4 Providing Personalised Care  
6.6.5 Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management  
6.6.6 Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint  
6.6.7 Risk Assessment and Planning  
6.6.8 Health and Safety Updated
  See also: Promoting Wellbeing and Positive Identity for a Child or Young Person Who is Looked After: A Quick Guide for Social Workers and Social Care Practitioners (SCIE)  


 

6.7

Change of Name and Marriage

  
6.7.1 Change of Name of a Looked After Child  
6.7.2 Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After Child  


 

6.8

Leaving Care and Preparation for Adulthood

  
6.8.1 Leaving Care and Preparation for Adulthood  
  See also: Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody  
6.8.2 Staying Put Policy Updated
  Further information related to Staying Put can be found on the Local Resources, including; a Young Person's Guide to Staying Put, Staying Put FAQs and the IRO checklist.  
6.8.3 Financial Arrangements for Care Leavers  
6.8.4 The Role of the Personal Advisor  
6.8.5 Care Leaver Practice Guidance  


 

6.9

Child and Youth Justice

  
  See also: Standards for Children in the Youth Justice System  
  and YJB and Probation Joint National Protocol for Transitions in England  
6.9.1 Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services  
6.9.2 Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody  
6.9.3 Joint Working Agreement between Children's Social Care and Lancashire Child and Youth Justice Service  
6.9.4 Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance  
  See also: Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation  

7. Fostering and Adoption

CAPTION: Foster and adopt
     

7.1

Fostering Services
7.1.1 Fostering Panel  
7.1.2 Persons Disqualified from Fostering  
7.1.3 Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers  
7.1.4 Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer Approval  
7.1.5 Children Looked After with Disabilities Living in Foster Care; Financial Requirements and Benefits - Transition Arrangements  
7.1.6 Supervision and Support of Foster Carers  
7.1.7 Training and Development of Foster Carers  
7.1.8 Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers  
7.1.9 Allegations Against Foster Carers - under review
(Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and Lancashire Children's Safeguarding Assurance Partnership (CSAP) Procedures)		  
7.1.10 Inter Authority Guidance (Foster Care Referrals) New
  See also: Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters  


 

7.2

Adoption and Permanence Services

  
  Following its launch on 01 April 2020, Adoption Lancashire & Blackpool (the Regional Adoption Agency) will recruit, assess and approve adopters, find families to meet the needs of children that are waiting to be adopted, provide adoption support services to adoptive families and run adoption panels.  
7.2.1 Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters  
7.2.2 Adoption Panel  
7.2.3 Placement for Adoption  
7.2.4 Adoption Support  
7.2.5 Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive Placements  
7.2.6 Adoption Reviews  
7.2.7 Disruption of Adoptive Placements  
7.2.8 Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already Adopted  
7.2.9 Inter Country Adoption  
7.2.10 Non Agency Adoption  
7.2.11 Adoption Case Records  
7.2.12 Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records  
7.2.13 Intermediary Services  
7.2.14 Life Story Work  
7.2.15 Later Life Letters  
7.2.16 Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters  


 

7.3

Special Guardianship / Other Permanence Options

  
7.3.1 Applications for Special Guardianship Orders - under review  
7.3.2 Court Reports in Adoption/Special Guardianship Guidance  
7.3.4 Child Arrangements Orders  
7.4.5 Child Arrangements Order Allowances  

8. Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

CAPTION: Contacts and appendices
     
8.1 Contacts  
8.2 Scheme of Delegation (Casework) Updated
8.3 Working Together to Safeguard Children  
8.4 Ofsted Inspection Framework  
8.5 Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Covert Surveillance  
8.6 Lancashire CSC Intranet  
8.7 Children's Services Practice Statements  
8.8 Lancashire Our Vision Poster  
8.9 Amendments