Amendments |
September 2022
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children who go Missing from Home or Care | This chapter has been amended locally. This chapter has been updated in order to reflect guidance for children who go missing from home or care. |
June 2022
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read. |
| Legal Planning Meetings | This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read. |
| Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations | 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. |
| 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. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been updated. |
| 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 in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | Section 10, Use of Inherent Jurisdiction to Authorise a Placement Involving a Deprivation of Liberty has been updated in line with case-law. |
| Placements with Parents | This chapter has been updated. |
| Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect Keeping Children Safe in Education (2021). 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. |
| Restrictive Physical Intervention | New Further Information section has been added. |
| Next update: December 2022 |
Archive
January 2022
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children who go Missing from Home or Care | This chapter has been amended locally. This chapter has been updated in order to reflect guidance for children who go missing from home or care. |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | These details has been updated. |
December 2021
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Capacity and Consent | Section 2.1, Consent to Information has been updated to reflect revisions contained in the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Family and Friends Care Policy | This chapter has been revised. New Section 7, Education has been added and information added on the School Admission Code. |
| Consultation, 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. |
| Assessments | This chapter has been amended to add a new Section 15, 16 and 17 year olds who may be Homeless and/or require Accommodation and reflects the issue of Homelessness and the vulnerability of young people identified in Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated. The link has been updated to the SWET (updated April 2021). Section 2, Pre-Proceedings has been updated to include information in relation to pre-birth assessments and planning where the mother has learning disabilities. It has also been updated to reflect Practice Guidance on Special Guardianship (Family Justice Council, June 2020). See in particular Section 9, Expectations of the Local Authority by the Court. |
| Complaints and Representations | This chapter has been amended to reflect the Children's Statutory Complaint Process: Guide for Practitioners (Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, 2021). (See Relevant Guidance). |
| Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations | 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 and includes 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 | 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. Minor amendments were made to this chapter in line with the UK's exit from the EEA. |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | This chapter has been updated. |
| Relinquished Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect case-law setting out lessons for the future in non-notification cases. |
| Norfolk Children and Young People in Care Sufficiency Strategy | This chapter has been updated. |
| Placements in Residential Care | This chapter has been updated to note that, from September 2021, looked after children under 16 years of age cannot be accommodated in unregulated independent or semi-independent placements. |
| Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | Information has been added in to Section 3, Local Authority Accommodation, in relation to children under the age of 16 being placed in 'other arrangements' placements. |
| Out of Area Placements | Section 6, Placements in Wales has been updated in line with updated Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. |
| Placements with Parents | Section 1, Planned Placements has been updated to add information on placements in 'other arrangements.' |
| Placements Outside England and Wales | Section 3, Placements in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Guernsey has been updated in line with updated Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. Additional information has also been added in relation to placements in Scotland, in line with a High Court case. |
| Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children | This chapter has been refreshed and a link added to House of Commons Library Briefing Paper: Criminal Injuries Compensation for Victims of Child Abuse. |
| Advocacy and Independent Visitors | This chapter has been updated. |
| 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, June 2021)'; updated 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' (see Scope Box) and Sexual Harassment in Education – Briefing (House Of Parliament Library, June 2021). (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, June 2021. In Section 6, When a Child Needs or Joins a New School, information was added on the School Admission Code. |
| 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. |
| Adoption Case Records | This chapter has been updated. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been revised. In Section 12, The Special Guardianship Support Plan, information has been added on the School Admission Code. It was also updated to reflect Practice Guidance on Special Guardianship published by the Family Justice Council (June 2020). See Section 6.2, Special Guardianship Applications in Care Proceedings and new Section 16, Special Guardianship Orders in International Cases. |
| Court Reports in Adoption/Special Guardianship Guidance | The chapter has been amended. |
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Placements in Other Arrangements | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Removed Chapters | |
|
|
June 2021
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Capacity and Consent | This chapter has been updated to add information on High Court cases in relation to consent in the context of the use of medication to suppress puberty. New Section 5.4, Consent to Life-ending Withdrawal of Medical Support was added, to reflect a High Court judgment. |
| Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds who may be Homeless and/or require Accommodation; and Duty to Refer | This chapter has been updated to add a link to Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leavers: good practice advice (DfE and MHCLG) to support the development of joint protocols that can help local authorities to meet the accommodation needs of care leavers. (See Section 4, Housing Protocols for Care Leavers). |
| 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. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | New Section 10, Use of Inherent Jurisdiction to Authorise a Placement Involving a Deprivation of Liberty When One or More of the Relevant Criteria Under Section 25 Children Act 1989 are Not Satisfied has been added. |
| Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers | 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 | This chapter has been updated to reflect changes from the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK | This chapter replaces both previous procedures regarding holidays inside and outside the UK. |
| 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 Leaver 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 Section 2.6 Care leavers leaving custody in Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leavers: good practice advice (DfE and MHCLG) 2020. (See 3.9, Planning for Release). |
| Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records | This chapter has been given a general refresh throughout and information added on applying for a copy of a birth certificate online. |
March 2021
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Placement Planning and Placement Reflections and Learning Meetings | Section 2, Placement Reflection and Learning Meetings has been updated. |
January 2021
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Placement Planning and Placement Reflections and Learning Meetings | Section 2, Disruption Meetings has been updated due the section currently being under review. |
December 2020
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Complaints and Representations | Information contained in this procedure has been reviewed and refreshed as required. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | Section 11, Further Information has been updated to include a link to Statutory Guidance Modern Slavery: How to Identify and Support Victims. |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | This guidance has been reviewed and updated throughout. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | Section 6, Placements of Children under the age of 13 Years has been updated following publication of revised DfE guidance. |
| Notifications of Significant Events | This procedure has been updated to reflect the latest Ofsted guidance for social care providers on the types of incident which they consider to be serious and which will therefore require notification to the regulatory authority. New sections have been added on the quality of notifications and learning from notifications. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Capacity and Consent | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Storage of Data on Mobile Devices | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
July 2020
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Conflict of Interest in Fostering | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
June 2020
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Assessments | This chapter has been updated in line with the new digital referral system for reporting potential victims of Modern Slavery. |
| Children who go Missing from Home or Care | This chapter has been updated in order to reflect guidance for children who go missing from home or care. |
| Recording Policy and Guidelines | This chapter has been amended to reflect the Ofsted Twitter Blog of 24/7/19 by Yvette Stanley, Ofsted's National Director for Social Care. The Blog highlights feedback from a number of inspections and explores what good recording should look like (Ofsted: developments in children’s social care – What makes an effective case record?). |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | An update has been made in Section 1, Principles to draw attention to OFSTED’s advice that Local Authorities should exercise due diligence in ensuring schools for pupils with SEN are registered with the DFE. The same diligence should be exercised on behalf of pupils with SEN. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been updated to take account of the new NRM digital referral form to report Modern Slavery. |
| Notifications of Significant Events | This procedure has been updated to reflect revised guidance issued by Ofsted to Children’s Homes Providers in August 2019. The revised guidance sought to clarify what is meant by a ‘serious event’ in relation to a child living in a Children’s Homes with the aim of reducing the overall number of notifications made to Ofsted, and in particular reducing the number of repeat notifications made as a result of submitting additional / updated information. |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated locally in order to clarify the arrangements for LADO involvement. |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | These details have been updated. |
December 2019
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children's Services Transfer Procedure | This chapter has been reviewed locally. It should be re-read in its entirety. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated to reference and note the Family Court Justice Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship, Courts and Tribunals Judiciary (May 2019) (see Section 1, Introduction). |
| Working with Interpreters and Others with Special Communication Skills | This chapter has been reviewed locally and should be re-read in its entirety. |
| Private Fostering | This chapter has been amended. It confirms in Section 14, After the Private Fostering Arrangement Ends that any request for support by the young person should be made to the local authority in which they are resident or where the education and training is being provided. |
| 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 the Chapter). |
| Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews | This chapter has been reviewed and updated. The requirement for clear separation of reviews (for clarifying whether the criteria for keeping a child in secure accommodation are met, and the child’s looked after review) has been emphasised. Clarifying whether the criteria for keeping a child in secure accommodation are met must come before a LAC review so the decision can inform the LAC review and they must be chaired by different individuals. |
| Notifications of Significant Events | This chapter has been updated. It should be re-read in its entirety. |
| Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated significantly. Therefore this chapter should be re-read in its entirety. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: Information Sheets. See Section 9, Representations / Independent Review Procedure. |
| Supervision and Support of Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated in 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. |
| Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers | A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: Information Sheets. See Section 6, Representations/Review Procedure. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters | This chapter has been amended to reflect the national changes in adoption registration and matching (see Section 9, After the Panel Recommendation). A link has also been added to Attending an IRM Panel: Information Sheets. See Section 10, Representations / Independent Review Procedure. |
| 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). |
| Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records | A link has been added to Attending and IRM Panel: Information Sheets. See Section 3.2, Adoption Orders made on or after 30 December 2005. |
| Court Reports in Adoption/Special Guardianship Guidance | This chapter has been updated to note the Family Court Justice Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship, Courts and Tribunals Judiciary (May 2019). See Section 3, Special Guardianship - Matters to be Dealt with in Report to Court, initial note, points 11 and 12. |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | These details have been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings | This chapter has been added to the manual. It should be read in its entirety. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been added to the manual. It should be read in its entirety. |
July 2019
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children's Consultation and Participation | The Relevant Guidance section has been updated to add supporting resources with regard to children’s consultation and participation. |
| Assessments | This chapter has been revised to reflect updated guidance on Assessment in Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Children's Services Transfer Procedure | This chapter has been updated with revised team names |
| Visits to Children and Young People | 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. |
| 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. It has also 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). |
| Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need) | This chapter has been updated in. |
| Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation | This chapter has been reviewed locally. |
| Children who go Missing from Home | This chapter has been amended regarding team name changes. |
| Complaints and Representations | This chapter has been revised in order to make changes to team names within the procedure. |
| Recording Policy and Guidelines | This chapter has been amended to reflect HHJ Greensmith’s comments regarding M and N (Children: Local authority gathering, preserving and disclosing evidence) [2018] EWFC 40 (1 June 2018). |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance which require schools, through the designated teacher to provide support to previously Looked After Children. A previously Looked After Child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because they are the subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from ‘state care’ outside England and Wales. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been updated, a new Section 6, Suitable Placements has been added. Details of the National Transfer Scheme Protocol for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children Version 2.0 March 2018 have been added into Section 1, Introduction and Definitions. |
| 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). |
| Ceasing to Look After a Child | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance. These changes relate to the status of ‘previously Looked After Children’. A previously Looked After Child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because they are the subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from ‘state care’ outside England and Wales. Previously Looked After Children are entitled to support from their school through the Designated Teacher (see Section 2.5, Children Who Move into Permanency). |
| Permanence Planning Guidance | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance. These changes relate to the status of ‘previously looked after children’. A previously Looked After Child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because they are the subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from ‘state care’ outside England and Wales. Children subject to a Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order are entitled to support from their school, through the designated teacher. |
| Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | This chapter has been updated in relation to placing young people in custody, see Section 2.3, How to Request a Transfer or Placement Review. |
| 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). |
| 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). |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been updated. Amendments have been made in:
|
| 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. |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | This document has been revised locally. It should be read in its entirety. |
| Adoption Support | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance which require schools, through the Designated Teacher for Looked After Children, to offer support to previously looked after children. A previously looked-after child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from ‘state care’ outside England and Wales). |
| Adoption Reviews | This chapter has been updated. |
| Life Story Books Guidance | This chapter has been reviewed. |
| Later Life Letters | This chapter has been reviewed. |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This listing has been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Working with Interpreters and Others with Special Communication Skills | This chapter 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. |
March 2019
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Placement Planning and Disruption Meetings | Section 2, Disruption Meetings has been updated. |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This chapter has been updated. |
February 2019
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Safeguarding Young People in the Armed Forces | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
December 2018
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children’s Services Policies, Values and Principles | A new Section 2, Corporate Parenting has been added in response to the DfE Applying Corporate Parenting Principles to Looked-after Children and Care Leavers – Statutory Guidance (Feb 2018). |
| Confidentiality Policy | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Assessments | Section 4, Communication has been updated to include reference to parents with learning disabilities. |
| Visits to Children and Young People | Section 5, Exceptions for Visits to Looked After Children has been revised, to set out more clearly the circumstances where visiting requirements differ from those set out in Section 4, Frequency of Visits. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated to provide some emphasis on parents who lack capacity and added links to the President of the Family Division, Family Proceedings: Parents with a Learning Disability note, and a relevant link to working with parents who have a learning disability (see Section 2.1, Principles) and Practice Direction 3AA - Vulnerable Persons: Participation in Proceedings and Giving Evidence (see Case management in Section 4, Documentation). In Related Guidance a link has been added to Research in Practice supporting information and guidance on the Social Work Evidence template (SWET). |
| Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need) | This chapter has been amended to include the duty on local authorities to notify the National Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel within five working days of becoming aware of a serious incident. |
| Recording Policy and Guidelines | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Case Records and Retention | Section 1, The Case Record has been updated in line with Adoption and Care Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018, which permits the transfer of a copy of the child’s case record (or part of that record) to another adoption agency when the local authority considers this to be in the interests of the child. |
| Access to Records / Subject Access Requests | This chapter has been revised and updated throughout. It should be re-read in full. |
| Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations | This chapter has been updated following the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been revised and updated throughout. It should be re-read in full. |
| Relinquished Children | Section 5, Consent and Competency has been updated to include additional information on parental capacity to consent, in line with High Court case-law. |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | Additional information has been added into Section 1.3, Section 20 Accommodation in line with recent case-law. |
| Looked After Reviews | Section 9, The Role of the Looked After Review in Achieving Permanence for the Child has been amended to reflect the outcome of a High Court Judgement in respect of children who were subject to Section 20 and where there have been 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. |
| Health Care Assessments and Plans | A new Section 3.5, Consent to Health Care Assessments has been added. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been significantly updated throughout and should be re-read. |
| Adoption Panel | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Inter Country Adoption | Section 8, Home Study has been updated to include a link to GOV.UK Benefits. |
| Adoption Case Records | Section 3, Security, Retention and Sharing of Records has been updated in line with Adoption and Care Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018, which provides that an adoption agency may disclose an adoption case record to another adoption agency for purposes related to either agency’s functions as an adoption agency. Further information has been added in relation to adoption records where an Adoption Order is not made. |
| Removed Chapters | |
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October 2018
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Consultation, Contacts and Referrals | This chapter has been revised to set out in more detail the revised model within our new Children’s Advice and Duty Service. |
August 2018
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This listing has been updated. |
July 2018
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Family and Friends Care Policy | This chapter has been updated, links to related guidance have been added to this chapter. |
| 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 Section 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. |
| Child in Need Plans and Reviews | This chapter has been updated by adding a new Section 4, Children in Need Moving to Another Authority - Principles. Information and communication is important between the respective local authorities to ensure appropriate services continue for the child and family and, where relevant, any risk of harm is recognised and identified with the receiving local authority. It should be noted that the responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child lies with the local authority where the child is to be found. |
| 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. |
| 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 (Section 8 Children and Social Work Act 2017 amends Section 31(3B) Children Act 1989) which a court is required to consider when deciding whether to make a Care Order. |
| Permanence Planning Guidance | Section 5, Assessing and Planning for Permanence, has been updated to reflect the additional ‘permanence provisions’ of the Care Plan (under Section 8 Children and Social Work Act 2017 amends section 31(3B) Children Act 1989) which a court is required to consider when deciding whether to make a Care Order. |
| Placements with Parents | This chapter has been updated to reflect that the DBS has no eligibility for a standard or enhanced check for birth parents or other adults living in the household. However, the Local Authority has a requirement under the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England Regulations) 2010 to obtain information about unspent convictions and cautions before placing a child back with parents. (See Section 1.2, Assessment and Checks before Placement). |
| Contact with Parents / Adults and Siblings | Section 2, Different Types of Contact has been updated to take account of the use of mobile communication with regards to contact. |
| Fostering Service Statement of Purpose | This chapter has been updated. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | Section 8, After the Panel Recommendation has been updated to clarify the decision as to the suitability of the applicant must be made within 7 working days of receipt of the panel’s recommendation and final set of panel minutes – The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 4: Fostering Services and Standard 14 (14.9) Fostering panels and the fostering service’s decision-maker |
| Placement for Adoption | Section 1, Planning for Permanence has been updated to reflect the additional consideration (added by Section 9 Children and Social Work Act 2017 amends Section 1(4)(f) of the Adoption and Children Act 2002) into the list of considerations that whenever a court or adoption agency is coming to a decision relating to the adoption of a child), of the relationship which the child has with relatives, with any person who is a prospective adopter with whom the child is placed and with any other person in relation to whom the court or agency considers the relationship to be relevant. |
| Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters | Section 4.1, Duty to Consider Fostering for Adoption Placement has been updated to reflect the additional consideration (added by Section 9, Children and Social Work Act 2017 into the list of considerations whenever a court or adoption agency is coming to a decision relating to the adoption of a child), of the relationship which the child has with relatives, with any person who is a prospective adopter with whom the child is placed and with any other person in relation to whom the court or agency considers the relationship to be relevant. |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This listing has been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Mental Capacity | A link has been added to the Mental Capacity Act. |
December 2017
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Initial Contacts and Referrals | This chapter has been revised to set out in more detail the timetable and partnership requirements associated with effectively managing contacts and referrals. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been revised to reflect the withdrawal of the previously published ADCS/Cafcass Protocol on Court Work. |
| Children who go Missing from Home | This Norfolk authored chapter has been revised and updated and should be re-read in full. |
| Young Carers' Needs Assessment | This title now links direct to material held on the www.local.gov.uk site. |
| Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children | A link to Securing British Citizenship for Looked After Children (NRPF Network) has been added to this chapter. |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | A link to Securing British Citizenship for Looked After Children (NRPF Network) has been added to this chapter. |
| Looked After Reviews | This chapter has been amended to fully reflect the Volume 2: care planning, placement and case review guidance and regulation 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). |
| Change of Name of a Looked After Child | This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full. |
| Children who go Missing from Care | This Norfolk authored chapter has been revised and updated and should be re-read in full. |
| Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers | Section 7, Disclosure and Barring Service, has been revised and updated. |
| 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). |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This listing has been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Modern Slavery | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
August 2017
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read in full. |
June 2017
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Family and Friends Care Policy | Links to related guidance have been added to this chapter. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been amended to add a link to the ADCS/Cafcass ‘Agreement About How Local Authorities and Cafcass Can Work Effectively in a Set of Care Proceedings and Pre-Proceedings in the English Family Courts’. The Agreement’s objective is to reduce delay and ensure the 26 weeks PLO timescale is met. The key areas identified are Pre-Proceedings, assessment and care planning. (See Section 9.2, Agreement between Local Authorities and CAFCASS to Work Effectively before the Court in Proceedings). |
| 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. |
| Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation | Section 1, Introduction, has been updated to take account of the change of definition in: Child Sexual Exploitation: Definition and Guide for Practitioners (DfE, February 2017). |
| Case Records and Retention | This chapter has been revised in to note the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse requires all institutions to retain their records relating to the care of children for the duration of the Inquiry (see Section 2, Retention and Confidentiality of Records). |
| Private Fostering | This chapter has been amended to add clarity to the definition of private fostering with regards to the legislation and children under 16 who spend more than 2 weeks in residence during holiday time in a school. |
| 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 has been included in DoH, Care and support statutory guidance (December 2016). (See Section 12, Funding Issues - Ordinary Residence). A link has been added into Further Information to guidance on SEND: 19- to 25-year-olds’ entitlement to EHC plans (DfE 2017) (see Section 16, Further Information and Statutory Guidance). |
| Short Breaks | A link to Friendship for All (The Children's Society) has been added to this chapter. |
| 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 has not been 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 Connected Persons | Section 3, Approval of Immediate Placements of Looked After Children with Connected Persons, has been updated to set out that when placing a child with a Connected Person consideration should be given to an initial risk assessment of any pets, together with the environment in which the pet is kept. Links to related guidance have also been added. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full. |
| Placements with Parents | Section 1.2, Assessment and Checks before Placement, has been updated to set out that 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. |
| Advocacy and Independent Visitors | This chapter has been updated to add a link to the Children’s Society ‘Advocacy services for children and young people – a guide for commissioners’. This guide outlines the legislative requirements of local authorities in the provision of advocacy support to children in need and looked after children. |
| Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing Officers | 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. |
| Notifications of Significant Events | The telephone number of the Ofsted National Business Unit quoted in this chapter has been updated. |
| Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays) | This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full. |
| Health Care Assessments and Plans | A link to Children’s Attachment: Attachment in Children and Young People who are Adopted from Care, in Care or at High Risk of Going into Care, NICE Guidelines (NG26) has been added to this chapter. |
| Supervision and Support of Foster Carers | Section 5, Support Provided by the Supervising Social Worker (During Placement), has been updated to reflect that the, as part of 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 indicate that, where the applicants have pets, a risk assessment should be conducted and any associated risks should be taken into account with regard to the pet itself and where the pet is kept. Where necessary, an independent assessment should be undertaken by a vet to establish whether the dog falls within the scope of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. |
| Placement for Adoption | Links to the Relinquished Children Procedure and the RIP materials Contact After Adoption have been added above. |
| 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 Approval, 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. |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This listing has been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children's Consultation and Participation | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Children who go Missing from Home | This Norfolk authored chapter has been added to this online manual and should be re-read in full. |
| Relinquished Children | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Junior ISAs for Looked After Children (GOV.UK) | This link has been added to the manual. |
| Child Trust Funds for Looked After Children (GOV.UK) | This link has been added to the manual. |
| Children Who Have Their Own Funds (intranet link) | This link has been added to the manual. |
| Children who go Missing from Care | This Norfolk authored chapter has been added to this online manual and should be re-read in full. |
| Children's Services - Who's Who | This link has been added to the manual. |
December 2016
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children’s Services Policies, Values and Principles | This chapter has been slightly updated. |
| Assessments | This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a judgment following an application to remove a child at birth. The judge highlighted ‘good practice steps’ to undertaking assessments and issuing care proceedings in respect of the removal of a child at birth, including the assessment process (see Section 11.1, Pre-birth ‘Good Practice Steps’). Updated material has also been added regarding the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a judgment following an application to remove a child at birth. The judge highlighted what were thought to be ‘good practice steps’ to issuing care proceedings in respect of the removal of a child at birth (see Section 3.1, Pre-birth Planning and Proceedings). |
| Legal Planning Meetings | This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a judgment following an application to remove a child at birth. The judge set out what were thought to be ‘basic and good practice steps’ (see Section 2, Considerations). |
| Case Records and Retention | A reference and link to a letter from the Independent Inquiry Into Child Sexual Abuse has been added to this chapter. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | The link to the DOH Care and Support Statutory Guidance has been updated to the 2016 edition. |
| Direct Payments | The link to the DOH Care and Support Statutory Guidance has been updated to the 2016 edition. |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | A link to NRPF Connect has been added to this chapter. |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | A link has been added to the ADCS/Cafcass Practice Guidance for the Use of Section 20. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation | Section 4.1, Placement Request, Identification and Approval, has been revised to reflect the current process by which Secure Placements are sought. This section has also been extended to acknowledge the President of the High Court’s judgement regarding applications in English courts for Secure Accommodation placements in Scotland. |
| Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers | The link to the Fostering Network Toolkit has been revised as it now accessible only to Fostering Network members and requires a separate log-in. The link to the BMA Consent Toolkit has also been updated. |
| Looked After Reviews | This chapter has been amended to note The Law Society guidance ‘Attendance of solicitors at local authority Children Act Meetings’ and their Code of Conduct where the child or family who attend reviews are supported by a legal representative (see Section 8, Independent Reviewing Officer's Responsibilities). |
| Education of Looked After Children | The listing of government guidance documents above has been revised and updated. |
| Staying Put | A link has been added to 'Staying Put: What Does it Mean for You? (Catch 22 National Care Advisory Service)'. The link to the 'Good Practice Guide' has been also been updated. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | Revisions (as requested by Norfolk) have been made throughout this chapter. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | Section 1, Introduction, has been revised to clarify the extent of authority which is afforded to Special Guardians. Section 2, Who May Apply? has also been revised. Links to the DfE Special Guardianship Guidance (2016) and the Adoption Support Fund have also been added. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Visits to Children and Young People | This chapter has been added to this manual. |
| Postnatal Care Up to 8 Weeks After Birth (NICE) | A link to this guidance has been added to the manual. |
| Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations | This chapter has been added to this manual. |
| Removed Chapters | |
|
|
November 2016
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Fostering Service Statement of Purpose | This document has been updated. |
| Removed Chapters | |
|
|
June 2016
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Assessments | Section 2, The Purpose of Assessment, has been updated to make reference to the Modern Slavery Act 2015. A link has been also added (above) to legislation. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | Links to the ADCS website have been revised and updated. |
| Legal Planning Meetings | This chapter has been revised to reflect the guidance regarding the appropriate use of S20 issued by Judge Munby P in the matter of N (Children) (Adoption: Jurisdiction) [2015] EWCA Civ 1112. |
| Recording Policy and Guidelines | This chapter has been revised and updated throughout and should be re-read in full. A link to Norfolk’s Recording Timescale Framework For Children’s Social Care has also been added. |
| Case Records and Retention | The Children's Services - Retention of Records table has been updated. |
| Access to Records | This chapter has been revised and updated throughout and should be re-read in full. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | A link to the 0 to 25 SEND Code of Practice: A Guide for Health Professionals – Advice for Clinical Commissioning Groups, Health Professionals and Local Authorities has been added to this chapter. |
| Direct Payments | This chapter has been revised and updated. A new Section 7, Hospital Stays has also been added. |
| 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 regulation - Volume 2: care planning, placement and case review regulations (2015). |
| Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children | Section 3, Assessment, has been revised to make reference to trafficking and the Modern Slavery Act 2015. A reference and links have also been added to ADCS/Home Office “good practice documents” regarding age assessment. |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | Section 2, Role of the Local Authority, has been revised to make reference to issues that may indicate that the child is or has been trafficked or a victim of compulsory labour, servitude and slavery. |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | This chapter has been revised to reflect the guidance regarding the appropriate use of Section 20 issued by Judge Munby P in the matter of N (Children) (Adoption: Jurisdiction) [2015] EWCA Civ 1112. Links have also been added to relevant chapters. |
| Ceasing to Look After a Child | This chapter has been revised to reflect recent judicial guidance regarding the appropriate response to discharge requests. |
| Permanence Planning Guidance | Section 3.7, Long-term Fostering has been revised in the interests of clarity. |
| Placements in Residential Care | This chapter has been revised throughout in the interests of clarity and should be re-read in full. |
| Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full. |
| Placements with Connected Persons | This chapter has been substantially revised and updated and should be re-read throughout. |
| Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children | This chapter has been revised and updated throughout and should be re-read in full. |
| Advocacy and Independent Visitors | This chapter has been revised and updated throughout and should be re-read in full. |
| Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews | This chapter has been revised and updated throughout and should be re-read in full. |
| Notifications of Significant Events | The hyperlinks in this chapter have been updated. |
| Contact with Parents / Adults and Siblings | This chapter has been revised and updated throughout and should be re-read in full. |
| Overnight Stays and Social Visits | This chapter has been revised in the interests of clarity. A link to the separate Contact with Parents and Siblings chapter has also been added. |
| Education of Looked After Children | The listing of guidance documents and associated hyperlinks above have been revised and updated. |
| Staying Put | Section 5, Financial Implications has been updated in respect of insurance arrangements. |
| Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services | This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full. |
| Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody | This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | Section 1, Responding to Initial Enquiries, has been revised. |
| Supervision and Support of Foster Carers | A link to the Norfolk Supporting Information/Guidance “What Norfolk County Council will do to supervise and support foster carers” has been added to this chapter. |
| Adoption Panel | Information regarding legal advice in Section 4, Adoption Panel Meetings, has been revised. |
| Placement for Adoption | Revisions have been made to the following Sections of this chapter:
|
| Adoption Support | A link to the Adoption Support Fund has been added to this chapter. |
| Inter Country Adoption | A hyperlink to the separate Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters Procedure has been added to this chapter. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | Section 5, Planning Meeting, 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. A link to the Adoption Support Fund has also been added. |
| Court Reports in Adoption/Special Guardianship Guidance | 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. |
| Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters | Section 4.2, Considering Adoption for a Child, has been revised with the addition of a new final paragraph. |
| Local Contacts | These details have been updated. |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This listing has been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children's Services Transfer Procedure | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Whistleblowing to Ofsted about Children's Social Care Services - Policy and Guidance for Whistleblowers | A link to this guidance has been added to this manual. |
| The Use of Written Agreements in Norfolk Children's Services | A link to this chapter has been added to this manual. |
End