January 2024
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Amendments have been made to reflect case-law in relation to assessing legal capacity. |
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Information has been added into Section 4, Care Orders and Supervisions Orders on a Care Plan of the Child Remaining at Home in relation to Supervision Orders, in line with Public Law Working Group (PLWG) Recommendations to Achieve Best Practice in the Child Protection and Family Justice Systems: Supervision Orders. |
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Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities |
This chapter has been amended to include information from Special Educational Needs and Disability: Improving Local Authority Decision Making - Report of the Administrative Justice Council’s Working Group on Special Educational Needs and Disability. Information was also added into Section 15, Resolving Disagreements in relation to legal aid for foster carers and prospective adoptive parents in First Tier Tribunal appeals. |
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery |
Information has been added in to Section 4, Assessment in relation to the National Age Assessment Board. |
Section 5.2.5, Providing Support has been updated to reflect the Home Office increase in financial support to individuals waiting to find out if they will be given asylum in the UK. |
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Section 2, Ordinary Residence has been updated in line with case law. |
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This chapter has been updated to include information from Guidance - Placing Children: Deprivation of Liberty Orders - guidance for providers, social workers and placement commissioners on placing children, subject to a deprivation of liberty order (DoL), in unregistered settings and President of the Family Division Practice Guidance: Placements in Unregistered Children’s Homes in England or Unregistered Care Home Services in Wales |
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Section 10, Use of Inherent Jurisdiction to Authorise a Placement Involving a Deprivation of Liberty has been updated to include information from Guidance - Placing Children: Deprivation of Liberty Orders - guidance for providers, social workers and placement commissioners on placing children, subject to a deprivation of liberty order (DoL), in unregistered settings and President of the Family Division Practice Guidance: Placements in Unregistered Children’s Homes in England or Unregistered Care Home Services in Wales. |
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This chapter has been refreshed. |
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This chapter has been refreshed. |
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Additional information has been added about online safety. |
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New Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Next Update: July 2024 |
Archive
July 2023
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline |
Section 8, Court Hearings has been updated in line with A View From the President's Chambers: Relaunching the PLO (November 2022), and that section should be re-read. |
Case Records and Retention |
This chapter has been updated in relation to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. |
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities |
This chapter has been updated to include information from Guidance: Area SEND Inspections Framework and Handbook (November 2022). |
Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings |
This chapter has been updated to include information from the UK Social Work Practice in Safeguarding Disabled Children and Young People report. |
Decision to Look After |
Section 3, Section 20 Accommodation has been updated in line with case-law. |
Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation |
This chapter has been amended to include information from Annex to MOJ Circular 2022/03: Additional Information on Remand to Local Authority Accommodation (RLAA). |
Health Care Assessments and Plans |
Information in relation to allergies has been added into Section 4, Health Plans. |
Positive Relationships and Responding to Children Experiencing Trauma |
This chapter has been amended to incorporate Ofsted feedback. Additional information has been added into Section 2, Responding to our Children’s Needs and Section 5.4, Recording of Sanctions. |
Health and Safety |
Information in relation to allergies has been added into Section 6, Diet, Nutrition and Allergies. |
Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After Child |
This chapter has been amended in to reflect that the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 raised the age of marriage and civil partnership to 18 in England and Wales, with effect from 26 February 2023. |
Leaving Care and Transition |
This chapter has been revised to include information from the revised Ofsted inspection framework. |
Allegations Against Foster Carers |
This chapter has been amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education. A new Section 2, The Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern has been added. |
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders |
This chapter has been updated to reflect the updated Public Law Working Group Best Practice Guidance. This includes the new interim guidance, issued by the President of the Family Division, that addresses the lawful extension of care proceedings beyond 26 weeks. Section 6.3, Placement before a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) is Granted has been added in line with guidance that states where there is no pre-existing relationship between the child and special guardians the child should be placed on an interim basis before the special guardianship order is made. |
Designated Managers with Specified Area of Responsibility |
This chapter has been amended. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Children Involved in the Youth Justice System- Additional Guidance |
This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
February 2023
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been amended throughout in line with Management Guidance in Public Law Children Cases: March 2022. |
Recording Policy and Guidelines | This chapter has been amended to include an updated version of The Wordinary: a Language Guide for Professionals Working with Young People in the Relevant Local Guidance Section. |
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been updated to include Wigan's Local Offer to Section 3, Local Offer. |
Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | This chapter has been amended to refer to Guidance issued by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman and the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. |
Placements Outside England and Wales | Section 3, Placements in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Guernsey has been updated in line with the Cross-border Placements (Effect of Deprivation of Liberty Orders) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 and Cross-Border Placements (Effect of Deprivation of Liberty Orders) (Scotland) Regulations 2022: Practice Guidance, Notice and Undertaking Template. |
Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | This chapter has been amended in line with the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. |
Contact (Family Time) with Parents and Siblings | Section 3, Supervised Contact (Family Time) has been updated to reflect a finding by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman that the supervisor's observations of the (Family Time) Contact must be clearly recorded in the child's record and shared with the parents within 3 months of the visit. |
Health Care Assessments and Plans | This chapter has been updated to include a link to Who Pays? |
Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services | Section 2, Looked After Children who are Arrested has been updated in relation to appropriate adults. |
Exemptions and Variations to Foster Carer Approval | An Exemption Form has been added into Section 3.2, Emergency Exemptions. |
Local Contacts | These details have been updated. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Friends and Family Care Policy | This policy has been added to the procedures manual. |
Joint Working Protocol between Wigan Children's Social Care and Wigan Targeted Youth SUPPORT Service | This protocol has been added to the procedures manual. |
July 2022
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
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 to reflect the National Transfer Scheme being mandated. |
Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | Section 2, Ordinary Residence has been updated in line with case-law. |
Decision to Look After | This chapter has been refreshed throughout. |
Ceasing to Look After a Child | This chapter has been updated to add a note regarding transferring a child's belongings in appropriate luggage and includes a link to a link to NYAS, My Things Matter Report (see Section 5, Administration/Process Issues). |
Placements with Parents | This chapter has been updated to reference Public Law Working Group Best Practice Guidance: the Application and Case Management. |
Placements in Foster Care | This chapter has been amended to add a link to the NYAS 'My Things Matter' Report – support and respect care-experienced children and their belongings when they move (see Section 4, Placement Planning). |
Placements in Residential Care | This chapter has been amended to add a link to the NYAS 'My Things Matter' Report – support and respect care-experienced children and their belongings when they move (see Section 2.3, Placement Planning). |
Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | Section 10, Use of Inherent Jurisdiction to Authorise a Placement Involving a Deprivation of Liberty has been updated in line with case law. |
Education of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect Keeping Children Safe in Education. Schools should have policies and processes in place to ensure all concerns about all adults working in or on behalf of the school or college (including supply teachers, volunteers and contractors) are dealt with promptly and appropriately. See Section 8.3, Protecting Children with a Social Worker, Looked After Children and Previously Looked After Children from Adults Who May Pose a Risk to Them and/or Other Children in the School. |
Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management | This chapter has been refreshed throughout. |
Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint | This chapter has been refreshed. |
Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been amended to add a link to the NYAS 'My Things Matter' Report – support and respect care-experienced children and their belongings when they move (see Scope of This Chapter). |
Fostering Panel | This chapter has been refreshed throughout. |
Exemptions and Variations to Foster Carer Approval | Information has been added on changes to/variation of foster carers' approval, and amendments made throughout the chapter in line with local practice. |
Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers | Amendments have been made throughout the chapter in line with local practice. |
Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been refreshed throughout. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Equality and Diversity | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
Care Planning | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
Risk Assessment and Planning | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
Providing Personalised Care | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
Leisure Activities | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
Health and Safety | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
Training and Development of Foster Carers | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
February 2022
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Capacity and Consent | Section 4.3, Consent to the Use of Medication to Suppress Puberty has been updated and new Section 5.4, Consent to Life-ending Withdrawal of Medical Support has been added, to reflect High Court judgments. Section 2.1, Consent to Information has been updated to reflect revisions contained in the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
Contacts and Referrals | This chapter has been reviewed and updated to reflect the refreshed Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been revised throughout. |
Legal Gateway/Planning Meetings | This chapter has been revised throughout. |
Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations | This chapter has been revised throughout. |
Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff | This chapter has been revised throughout. |
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been refreshed to include links to related reports from the House of Commons Library. (See Section 16, Further Information and Statutory Guidance). |
Short Breaks | Information has been added 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 | This chapter has been updated. 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 have been made to this chapter in line with the UK's exit from the EEA. |
Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | This chapter has been revised throughout. |
Relinquished Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect case-law setting out lessons for the future in non-notification cases. Section 8, Adoption Panel has been updated in line with local practice. |
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children | This chapter has been refreshed and a link added to House of Commons Library Briefing Paper: Criminal Injuries Compensation for Victims of Child Abuse. |
Placements with Parents | Section 1, Planned Placements has been updated to add information on placements in 'other arrangements'. In Section 1.6, Social Work Visits During the Placement, the timescale has been changed to two weeks (previously six weeks). |
Placements in Residential Care | This chapter has been updated to note that from September 2021, looked after children under 16 years of age cannot be accommodated in unregulated independent or semi-independent placements. |
Out of Area Placements | Section 6, Placements in Wales has been updated in line with updated Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. |
Placements Outside England and Wales | Section 3, Placements in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Guernsey has been updated in line with updated Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. |
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. |
Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers | A new Section 7.4, Consent to Life-ending Withdrawal of Medical Support has been added, to reflect a High Court judgment. |
Advocacy and Independent Visitors | This chapter has been refreshed throughout. |
Education of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After Children and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been revised to reflect the 'Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted, June 2021)'; updated 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' (see Scope Box above) and Sexual Harassment in Education – Briefing (House of Parliament Library) (see Section 8.2, Protecting looked after children from sexual harassment and peer on peer abuse). The chapter has also been amended to reflect Promoting the Education of Children with a Social Worker: Virtual School Head Role Extension. In Section 6, When a Child Needs or Joins a New School, information has been 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. |
Supervision and Support of Foster Carers | This chapter has been revised throughout in line with local practice and should be re-read. |
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been revised to reflect Practice Guidance on Special Guardianship published by the Family Justice Council. Information has also been added on the School Admission Code. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Placements in Other Arrangements | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
August 2021
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Designated Managers with Specified Area of Responsibility | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
July 2021
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Capacity and Consent | This chapter has been updated to add information on a High Court case in relation to consent in the context of the use of medication to suppress puberty. Information was added in relation to NICE Quality Standard: Decision-Making and Mental Capacity. |
Contacts and Referrals | This chapter has been updated 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. |
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been amended. 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. |
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | Minor amendments have been made to this chapter in line with the UK's exit from the EEA. |
Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | This chapter has been revised throughout to take account of the UK's exit from the EEA |
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 in line with Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leavers: Good Practice Advice (DfE and MHCLG). |
Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | This chapter has been updated. 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. |
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. Minor amendments were made to the bullet points in Section 8.1, Child Protection Policy and Procedures. |
Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK | This chapter has been refreshed throughout. |
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 In 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 Section 3.9, Planning for Release). |
Removed Chapters | |
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February 2021
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Complaints and Representations | This chapter has been refreshed throughout. Please note that due to the current restrictions relating to COVID-19, any interviews/meetings necessary as part of a complaint investigation process (at any stage) will be undertaken remotely/virtually at this time. We are regularly reviewing our processes in line with government advice. |
Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff | This chapter has been updated to link to updated guidance. |
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | Section 11, Further Information has been updated to include a link to Statutory Guidance Modern Slavery: How to Identify and Support Victims. |
Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | This chapter has been refreshed throughout. |
Placements with Parents | Appendix 1: Placement with Parents Report Template has been added. |
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 chapter has been refreshed throughout. |
Leaving Care and Transition | The link has been updated in Section 9.3, The 16-19 Bursary Fund and Higher Education Bursary. |
July 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. |
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?). |
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been updated in line with the new digital referral system for reporting potential victims of Modern Slavery. |
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children | Minor amendments have been made. In Section 7, Appealing Decisions the address for the First Tier Tribunal has been updated. |
Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been given a general refresh throughout. |
Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been reviewed and refreshed, and terminology has been updated where required. |
Scheme of Delegation | An updated version has been added. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Capacity and Consent | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
Transfer Protocol | This guidance has been added. |
Storage of Data on Mobile Devices | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
Transition from Children in Care (CIC) to Leaving Care Flowchart | This guidance has been added. |
January 2020
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated to reference and note the Family Court Justice Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship, Courts and Tribunals Judiciary (May 2019). |
Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need) | This chapter has been given a general refresh throughout. |
Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | In Section 8.1, The Application, the links to forms C1 and C20 have been updated. |
Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews | This chapter has been reviewed to clarify arrangements relating to Looked After reviews and secure accommodation reviews. |
Notifications of Significant Events | This chapter has been given a general refresh throughout. |
Education of Looked After Children | This chapter has been given a general refresh throughout. |
Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: Information Sheets. |
Supervision and Support of Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated to reflect in more detail the foster carer's role and responsibilities with respect to Fostering National Minimum Standards – Notification of Significant Events 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. |
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been updated to reference and reflect the Family Court Justice Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship, Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. |
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 reflects statutory guidance in relation to children who are placed by health authorities or local authorities for more than 3 months in residential establishments for educational purposes and children placed in care homes or independent hospitals (including hospices) by health authorities or local authorities (Sections 85 and 86 of the Children Act 1989). |
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 links to statutory guidance:
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July 2019
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Children's Consultation and Participation |
The Related Guidance section has been updated to add supporting resources. |
Child in Need Plans and Reviews |
Minor amendments were made in Section 3, Reviews of Child in Need Plans in relation to local practice. |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline |
This chapter was 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. In addition, a new subsection of Section 4.1, Local Authority Documentation provides further detail on the importance of recording information on the Care Plan which will help the child, parent or the child's carer understand why decisions have been or are being made. |
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery |
A new Section 6, Suitable Placements was added. Details of the National Transfer Scheme Protocol for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children Version 2.0 March 2018 were added into Section 1, Introduction and Definitions. |
Private Fostering |
This chapter has been amended to clarify that any request for support by the young person should be made to the local authority in which they are resident or where the education and training is being provided. |
Decision to Look After and Care Planning |
This chapter has been amended to reflect Section 3 of the Care Planning and Care Leavers (Amendment) Regulations 2014. The Care Plan must identify whether there is reason to believe the child has been trafficked or is an unaccompanied asylum seeker. |
Placements with Connected Persons |
Minor amendments have been made in Section 5, Assessment and Approval of Connected Persons as Foster Carer in line with local practice. |
Placements in Foster Care |
Amendments were made throughout in line with local practice. |
Placements in Residential Care |
Amendments were made throughout in line with local practice. |
Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children |
This chapter has been amended to include a link to the Leaving Care and Transition Procedure in relation to Personal Adviser visits to 'Relevant' or 'Former Relevant' young people. Minor amendments were made throughout in line with local practice. |
Leaving Care and Transition |
Amendments have been made in:
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Staying Put Programme Policy |
An updated version of this local guidance has been added. |
Exemptions and Extensions to Foster Carer Approval |
Section 5, Extension/Variation to the Foster Carer's Terms of Approval has been removed, to reflect local practice. |
April 2019
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Scheme of Delegation |
An updated version has been added. |
February 2019
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles |
A new Section 3, 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). |
Children's Consultation and Participation |
References to Working Together to Safeguard Children have been updated. |
Assessments |
Section 5, Communication has been updated to include reference to parents with learning disabilities. The chapter has been updated in line with the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline |
This chapter has been updated to add information relating to parents who lack capacity. Section 4.2, Case Analysis has been updated to reflect the 'permanence provisions' of the Care Plan added by s.8 Children and Social Work Act 2017 which a court is required to consider when deciding whether to make a Care Order. Section 9, Good Local Authority Practice During Proceedings) has been updated to reflect HHJ Greensmith's comments in M and N (Children: Local authority gathering, preserving and disclosing evidence) [2018] EWFC 40 (1 June 2018). |
Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need) |
This chapter has been updated to reflect the requirement for local authorities in England to notify the national Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel within 5 working days of becoming aware of a serious incident. |
Recording Policy and Guidelines |
This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the 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 the Adoption and Care Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018, which permit 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 |
This chapter has been updated throughout in line with the EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 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. |
Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations |
This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities |
This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance. |
Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation |
This chapter has been added. It links to statutory guidance and to the Guide to the duty to refer including the referral process. The duty to refer was brought in by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. |
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 in to Section 1.3, Section 20 Accommodation, in line with recent case-law. |
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. |
Permanence Planning Guidance |
This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance. |
Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds |
This chapter has been updated to reflect the updated guidance 'Secure Children's Homes: How to Place a Child aged under 13 (July 2018).' |
Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation |
This chapter has been updated in relation to placing young people in custody. |
Looked After Reviews |
Section 9, The Role of the Looked After Review in Achieving Permanence for the Child has been amended to reflect the outcome of a High Court Judgement in respect of children who were subject to Section 20 and where there were concerns of significant delays in their planning for permanence. |
Education of Looked After Children |
This chapter has been revised throughout in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017. |
Leaving Care and Transition |
This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services |
This chapter has been updated in relation to placing young people in custody. |
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. |
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders |
This chapter has been updated to reflect the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman good practice points to follow when working with Special Guardians. A link to the full report 'Firm Foundations: Complaints about Council Support and Advice for Special Guardians (Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman) (May 2018)' has been added into the Relevant National Guidance section of this chapter. The chapter has been also 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. Information on Special Guardianship support has been replaced with a link to new local guidance document Wigan Council Special Guardianship Support Services Policy. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Deprivation of Liberty |
A link has been added to this resource. |
Mental Capacity |
A link has been added to this resource. |
Wigan Council Special Guardianship Support Services Policy |
This local guidance document has been added. |
July 2018
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Contacts and Referrals | This chapter has been revised to set out in more detail the timetable and partnership requirements associated with effectively managing contacts and referrals. |
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been refreshed throughout, and additional information added in relation to trafficking and modern slavery. |
Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation | This link has been updated. |
Decision to Look After and Care Planning | Section 2.1, The Care Plan – Contents has been amended to reflect the additional 'permanence provisions' of the Care Plan (s.8 Children and Social Work Act 2017) which a court is required to consider when deciding whether to make a Care Order. |
Permanence Planning Guidance | Section 5, Assessing and Planning for Permanence has been updated to reflect the additional 'permanence provisions' of the Care Plan (under s.8 Children and Social Work Act 2017) which a court is required to consider when deciding whether to make a Care Order. |
Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children | Section 2, Exceptions has been revised to set out more clearly the circumstances where visiting requirements differ from those set out in Section 1, Normal Frequency. |
Contact with Parents and Siblings | Section 2, Different Types of Contact has been updated to take account of the use of mobile communication with regards to contact. |
Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK | In Section 2.4, Insurance the link has been updated to the European Health Insurance Card. |
Health Care Assessments and Plans | A new Section 3.5, Consent to Health Care Assessments has been added. |
Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been updated throughout in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017. |
Staying Put Programme Policy | This local information has been added. |
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. |
Placement for Adoption (Together for Adoption Procedures) |
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. Section 1, Planning for Permanence has been updated to reflect s.9 Children and Social Work Act 2017. Whenever a court or adoption agency is coming to a decision relating to the adoption of a child, an additional consideration is added by of the relationship which the child has with any person who is a prospective adopter with whom the child is placed. |
Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters (Together for Adoption Procedures) |
Section 4.1, Duty to Consider Fostering for Adoption Placement has been updated to reflect the additional consideration (added by s.9 Children and Social Work Act 2017 into the list of considerations whenever a court or adoption agency is coming to a decision relating to the adoption of a child), of the relationship which the child has with relatives, with any person who is a prospective adopter with whom the child is placed and with any other person in relation to whom the court or agency considers the relationship to be relevant. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
A Guide to Leaving Care and the Financial Support Paid to Care Leavers within Wigan | This local information has been added. |
Scheme of Delegation | This local information has been added. |
Removed Chapters | |
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January 2018
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Assessments | Links have been added to the following local documents:
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Child in Need Plans and Reviews | In Section 3, Reviews of Child in Need Plans the timing of reviews has been changed from at least every three months, to at least every 6 weeks. |
Complaints and Representations | Section 1, Introduction has been added. A link has been added to Assistant Director Need to Know, Expectations and Timescales. |
Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need) | A link has been added to Assistant Director Need to Know, Expectations and Timescales. |
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children | A link has been added to Securing British Citizenship for looked After Children - NRPF Network. |
Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement Providers | A link has been added to Assistant Director Need to Know, Expectations and Timescales. |
Looked After Reviews | This chapter has been updated in line with Volume 2: Care Panning, Placement and Case Review Guidance and Regulations with respect to the circumstances as to when a Looked After Review should be brought forward. A link has been added to Assistant Director Need to Know, Expectations and Timescales. |
Notifications of Significant Events | A link has been added to Assistant Director Need to Know, Expectations and Timescales. |
Education of Looked After Children | A link has been added to Assistant Director Need to Know, Expectations and Timescales. |
Allegations Against Foster Carers | A link has been added to Assistant Director Need to Know, Expectations and Timescales. |
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. |
Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already Adopted | A link has been added to Assistant Director Need to Know, Expectations and Timescales. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Early Help | The following local documents have been added:
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Threshold of Need Guidance | A link has been added to this guidance. |
Whistleblowing Policy | This policy applies to all employees, contractors supplying goods or services to the council and those providing services under a contract with the council. |
Whistleblowing in Wigan - FAQs | This local document supports the Whistleblowing Policy. |
Friends and Family Care Policy | This local document has been added. |