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Rochdale Children's Services Procedure 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 Recording
  3. Prevention and Family Support
  4. Children in Particular Circumstances
  5. Cared4Children
  6. Fostering and Adoption
  7. Appendices, Local Contacts and List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers


1. All Children

Caption: All Children
   

1.1

Policy Values and Principles

  
1.1.1 Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles  
1.1.2 Confidentiality Policy  
1.1.3 Consultation Policy  
1.1.4 Children's Consultation and Participation  
1.1.5 Terms of Reference – Finance Panel  
1.1.6 Capacity and Consent Updated
1.1.7 Equality and Diversity  
 

Staffing

  
1.1.8 Supervision Policy  
  See also: North West Protocol for Standards in Supervision of Children and Families Social Workers  
1.1.9 Lone Working Procedures  
1.1.10 Violence and Aggression Policy  
1.1.11 Manager Guidance - Managing Violence and Aggression  
1.1.12 Manager Guidance - Procedure For Dealing With Potentially Violent or Aggressive Situations  
1.1.13 Manager Guidance - Risk Assessment  
1.1.14 Safety Fact Sheet - Personal Safety Tips  
1.1.15 Children’s Social Care Performance and Quality Assurance Framework  
1.1.16 Social Work Caseloads Policy  
1.1.17 Petty Cash Authorisation  

1.1.18

Child Sexual Exploitation

  
  Sunrise Team Operating Model  
  Flowchart - Referrals to Sunrise (Cases not currently open to Children’s Services)  
  Flowchart - Referrals to Sunrise (Cases currently open to Children’s Services)  
  Practice Guidance for Practitioners and Support Staff Supporting Adult Victims of CSE  
  Psychological Therapy Services Stepped Care Model  

   

1.2

Early Help and Thresholds for Children's Social Care Services

  
1.2.1 Early Help  
1.2.2 Children in Need Framework/Thresholds for Children's Social Care Intervention  
  See also: Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)  

   

1.3

Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

  
  See also: Greater Manchester Safeguarding Children Procedures, Accommodating Children under Section 20 Children Act 1989 Procedure  
1.3.1 Initial Contacts and Referrals  
1.3.2 EDT Escalation Process - On Call Managers (Childcare)  
1.3.3 Assessments  
1.3.4 Rochdale Children’s Social Needs and Risk - Local Assessment Protocol  
1.3.5 Section 47 Enquiries  
1.3.6 Pro-Active Transfer Policy  
1.3.7 Expectations of Child Protection Core Group Members and Core Group  

   

1.4

Court Proceedings

  
1.4.1 Application for Emergency Protection Orders  
1.4.2 Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline Updated
  See also: PLO Meeting Guidance (Flowchart)  
1.4.3 Terms of Reference for Legal Gateway Meetings  
  See also: Terms of Reference – Finance Panel  
  and Terms of Reference – Permanence Panel  
1.4.4 Discharge of a Care Order  
1.4.5 Disclosure of Information in Cases of Alleged Child Abuse and Linked Criminal and Care Direction Hearings  
1.4.6 Residence Child Arrangements Order Policy  
1.4.7 Greater Manchester Section 37 and Section 7 Reports Protocol  
  See also: 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  

   

1.5

Miscellaneous

  
1.5.1 Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child In Need)  
1.5.2 Significant Incident Notification Guidance  
1.5.3 Postnatal Care NICE Clinical Guideline 37 (Dec 2014)  

   

1.6

Complaints and Whistleblowing

  
1.6.1 Complaints and Representations  
1.6.2 Compliments and Complaints: Children and Young Person’s Guide  
1.6.3 Whistleblowing  
1.6.4 Raising Concerns at Work: Whistleblowing Guidance for Workers and Employers in Health and Social Care (2014)  
1.6.5 Whistleblowing Helpline - Speak Up  
1.6.6 Whistleblowing to Ofsted about Children’s Social Care Services - Policy and Guidance for Whistleblowers  


2. Case Management and Recording

Caption: Case Management and Recording
   
2.1 Recording Policy  
2.2 Case Records and Retention  
2.3 Access to Records / Subject Access Requests  
2.4 Chronology Guidance  
2.5 North West Protocol with Greater Manchester Police in relation to Public Interest Immunity  
2.6 Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations  
2.7 Storage of Data on Mobile Devices  
2.8 Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff  


3. Prevention and Family Support

Caption: Prevention and Family Support
   
3.1 North West Children's Improvement Programme: Integrated Early Help Strategy  
3.2 Child in Need Plans and Reviews  
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  
3.4 Family and Friends Care Policy  
3.5 Private Fostering  
3.6 Social Worker Guidance on Section 20 Accommodation and Private Arrangements  
3.7 Resource Allocation Panel  
  See also: Greater Manchester Safeguarding Children Procedures, Accommodating Children under Section 20 Children Act 1989 Procedure  
3.8 Section 20 Agreement  
3.9 Parents’ Agreement for Family / Friends to Care for Children as a Private Arrangement  
3.10 Information for Families about Children Living with Family / Friends  
3.11 Carers’ Agreement To Care For Children as a Private Arrangement  
  See also: Terms of Reference – Finance Panel  

   

3.6

Family Group Meetings

  
3.6.1 Family Group Conferences Procedures  


4. Children in Particular Circumstances

Caption: Children in Particular Circumstances
   
  See also: AIM Meeting Business Process (flowchart)
 (Greater Manchester Safeguarding Children Procedures)		  
4.1 Pan-Greater Manchester Protocol on Missing Children and Young People  
  See also: The Greater Manchester Safeguarding Children Procedures, Children Missing from Home and Care - A Standardised Approach to Dealing with Missing and Absent Children and Young People Across Greater Manchester  
  and Rochdale Missing Children Protocol  
4.2 Youth Justice Board - Standards for Children in the Youth Justice System and Case Management Guidelines  
 

See also:

 

   

4.3

Children with Disabilities

  
4.3.1 Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Updated
4.3.2 Direct Payments  
4.3.3 Short Breaks (Involving Overnight Stays)  
4.3.4 Transition for Young People with Learning Difficulties / Disabilities in Rochdale  
4.3.5 Interagency Protocol for Children with Complex/Continuing Health Care Needs  
4.3.6 Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings  

   

4.4

Children from Abroad

  
4.4.1 Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery  
4.4.2 No Recourse To Public Funds Process  
4.4.3 Policy And Practice Guidance In Respect Of Those With No Recourse To Public Funds  

   

4.5

Cases with a Foreign Element in the Greater Manchester Safeguarding Procedures

  
  See also guidance on:  
  4.5.1 Cross-border Child Protection Cases: The 1996 Hague Convention  
  4.5.2 Guidance: The International Child Abduction and Contact Unit  

   

4.6

Cases Crossing Local Authority Boundaries
(Greater Manchester Safeguarding Procedures)

 
  4.6.1 North West Children in Need Moving Across Local Authority Boundaries Procedure  
  4.6.2 North West Notification and Transfer of Children Subject of Child Protection Plans across Local Authority Boundaries Procedure  
  4.6.3 North West Pre-Care and Care Proceedings Notification and Transfer across Local Authority Boundaries Procedure  

   

4.7

Provision of Accommodation for Children under PACE (Greater Manchester Safeguarding Procedures)

  
  4.7.1 Joint Protocol for Considering Requests for the Provision of Accommodation under PACE (Greater Manchester Local Authorities and Greater Manchester Police)  
  4.7.2 Pace Contacts for Greater Manchester  

   

4.8

Young Carers

  
4.8.1 Young Carers Updated

   

4.9

Safeguarding Children and Young People Vulnerable to Radicalisation and Extremism

  
4.9.1 Safeguarding Children and Young People Vulnerable to Radicalisation and Extremism  


 

4.10

Mental Health

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


5. Cared4Children

Caption: Cared4Children
   
NOTE: In Rochdale we refer to our looked after children as Cared4Children. These procedures use the terminology ‘looked after children’ in line with national legislation and statutory guidance.
Caption: NOTE
   

5.1

Decision to Look After and Care Planning

  
  See also: Terms of Reference – Finance Panel  
  Greater Manchester Safeguarding Children Procedures, Accommodating Children under Section 20 Children Act 1989 Procedure  
5.1.1 Decision to Look After Updated
5.1.2 Care Planning  
5.1.3 Sufficiency Strategy  
5.1.4 Permanence Strategy and Procedures 2022/2024  
  See also: Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters  
5.1.5 Parallel Planning For Permanence Guidance  
5.1.6 Terms of Reference – Permanence Panel  
5.1.7 Placement Planning and Disruption Meetings  
5.1.8 Placements in Foster Care  
5.1.9 Placements in Residential Care Updated
5.1.10 Out of Area Placements  
5.1.11 Placements with Family and Friends / Connected Persons (Regulation 24)  
5.1.12 Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds Updated
5.1.13 Placements with Parents  
5.1.14 Placements Outside England and Wales  
5.1.15 Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement Providers  
5.1.16 Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation  
5.1.17 Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers  
5.1.18 Child Trust Funds and Junior Individual Savings Accounts for Looked After Children  
5.1.19 Ceasing to Look After a Child  
5.1.20 Placements with Dogs Policy  
  See also: Greater Manchester Safeguarding Partnership Manual, Safeguarding Children from Dangerous Dogs Procedure  
5.1.21 Placements in Other Arrangements Updated
  See also: Resource Allocation Panel  
  and NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People  

   

5.2

Monitoring and Reviews

  
5.2.1 Continual Assessment of Cared4Children: Practice Guidance  
5.2.2 Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children  
5.2.3 Advocacy and Independent Visitors  
5.2.4 Looked After Reviews  
5.2.5 Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing Officers  
5.2.6 Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews  
5.2.7 Notifications of Significant Events  

   

5.3

Contact and Overnight Stays

  
5.3.1 Contact with Parents and Siblings  
5.3.2 Overnight Stays and Social Visits  

   

5.4

Education, School Trips and Holidays

  
5.4.1 Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK  
5.4.2 Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After Children Updated
5.4.3 Higher Education Bursary for Cared for Children  
5.4.4 Leisure Activities  

   

5.5

Health and Wellbeing

  
5.5.1 Health Care Assessments and Plans  
5.5.2 Personal Care and Relationships  
5.5.3 Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management  
5.5.4 Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint  
  See also: Practice Guidance: Supporting Young People with HIV Testing and Prevention  

   

5.6

Identity

  
5.6.1 Change of Name of a Looked After Child  
5.6.2 Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After Child  

   

5.7

Leaving Care and Transition

  
  See also: Care Leavers Charter  
5.7.1 Leaving Care and Transition Updated
5.7.2 Leaving Care and Transition: Young Person’s Guide  
5.7.3 Care Leaver Offer  
5.7.4 Financial Assistance Procedure and Guidance  
5.7.5 Finance Policy - Looked After Young People 16+  
5.7.6 Financial Assistance 16+ Young Person’s Leaflet 2014  
5.7.7 Virtual Spending - Setting Up Home Allowance: Young Person’s Guide  
5.7.8 Second Chance Protocol  
5.7.9 Second Chance Protocol: Young Person’s Guide  
5.7.10 Cared 4 Children Joining the Armed Forces  
5.7.11 Staying Put Policy - reviewed December 2019  
5.7.12 Staying Put  
5.7.13 Staying Put Arrangements: Foster Carer’s Guide  
5.7.14 Staying Put Arrangements: Foster Carer’s Leaflet  
5.7.15 Staying Put Arrangements: Young Person’s Guide  
5.7.16 Staying Put Arrangements: Young Person’s Leaflet  
5.7.17 Apprenticeship, Traineeship and Job with Training Guide for Professionals Working with Cared-for Young People and Care Leavers (July 2015)  
5.7.18 Staying on Guidance: Arrangements for Care Leavers aged 18 and above to 'Stay On' within Supported Lodgings or Supported Accommodation  
5.7.19 Care Leavers Protocol between: Rochdale, Middleton & Heywood Jobcentre Plus, Benefit Delivery Centres and Rochdale Cared For Children Services  
5.7.20 Personal Adviser Induction Guidance  


 

5.8

Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

  
5.8.1 Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services  
5.8.2 Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody  
5.8.3 Youth Justice Services GM Agreement
(Greater Manchester Safeguarding Children Procedures)		  
5.8.4 Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance  
  See also: Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation Procedure  
  Joint Protocol for Considering Requests for the Provision of Accommodation under PACE (Greater Manchester Local Authorities and Greater Manchester Police)  
  Pace Contacts for Greater Manchester  


6. Fostering and Adoption

Caption: Fostering and Adoption
   

6.1

Fostering Services

  
  See also: Foster Carers Handbook  
6.1.1 Fostering Panel  
6.1.2 Persons Disqualified from Fostering  
6.1.3 Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers  
6.1.4 Exemptions and Variations  
6.1.5 Supervision and Support of Foster Carers  
  See also: Fostering Service Duty System  
6.1.6 Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers  
6.1.7 Allegations Against Foster Carers  
6.1.8 Foster Carers Who Wish to Adopt  
6.1.9 Foster Carers Becoming Special Guardians  
6.1.10 Family and Friends Foster Carers Assessment and Approval Procedures  
  See also: Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters  
  Terms of Reference – Finance Panel  

   

6.2

Adoption and Permanence

  
6.2.1 Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters  
6.2.2 Adoption Panel  
6.2.3 Placement for Adoption  
  See also: Placement Order Revocations  
6.2.4 Adoption Health and Safety Guidelines  
6.2.5 Adoption Support  
6.2.6 Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive Placements  
6.2.7 Adoption Reviews  
6.2.8 Disruption of Adoptive Placements - Adoption 22  
6.2.9 Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already Adopted  
6.2.10 Inter Country Adoption  
6.2.11 Non Agency Adoption  
6.2.12 Adoption Case Records  
6.2.13 Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records  
6.2.14 Intermediary Services  
6.2.15 Procedure Relating to Special Guardianship  
6.2.16 Financial Assistance for Special Guardianship Orders  
6.2.17 Court Reports in Adoption/Special Guardianship Guidance  
6.2.18 A Foster Carers Guide to Special Guardianship  
6.2.19 Life Story Books Guidance  
6.2.20 Later Life Letters  
6.2.21 Promotion of Education within Adoption  
6.2.22 Adoption Statement of Purpose  
6.2.23 Placement Order Revocations  
6.2.24 Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters Updated
  See also: Terms of Reference – Finance Panel  
6.2.25 Relinquished Children  
6.2.26 Adoption Interagency Fees Guidance  


7. Appendices, Local Contacts and List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers

Caption: Appendices, Local Contacts and List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers
   
7.1 Local Contacts  
7.2 Children’s Social Care Delegation Scheme  
7.3 Working Together to Safeguard Children  
7.4 Children's Social Care Structure Flowchart  
7.5 Ofsted Inspection Framework New
7.6 Amendments  

End