Contents

1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles September 4, 2024
2. 1.1.2Children's Consultation and ParticipationMarch 14, 2024
3. 1.1.3Equality and DiversityAugust 21, 2023

1.2Early Help and Thresholds for Children's Social Care Services

1. 1.2.1Early Help Framework September 5, 2023
2. 1.2.2Threshold Document - Continuum of Help and Support September 4, 2025
3. 1.2.3Capacity and ConsentSeptember 4, 2025
4. 1.2.4Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)

1.3Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

1. 1.3.1Contacts and ReferralsSeptember 4, 2025
2. 1.3.2AssessmentsSeptember 4, 2025
3. 1.3.3Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)September 4, 2024
4. 1.3.4Local Protocol for AssessmentTo Follow
5. 1.3.5Allocation of Work and Transfer between TeamsTo Follow
6. 1.3.6Multi-Agency Safeguarding Children Procedures

1.4Child in Need

1. 1.4.1Child in Need Plans and ReviewsMarch 14, 2024

1.5Legal Proceedings

1. 1.5.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersSeptember 5, 2023
2. 1.5.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline
   Updated
   March 12, 2026
3. 1.5.3Legal Gateway/Planning MeetingsSeptember 5, 2023
4. 1.5.4Protocol and Good Practice Model: Disclosure of Information in Cases of Alleged Child Abuse and Linked Criminal and Care Direction Hearings (October 2013)
5. 1.5.5Cross-border child protection cases: the 1996 Hague Convention (DfE)
6. 1.5.6Family 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.

1.6Complaints and Whistleblowing

1. 1.6.1Complaints and RepresentationsSeptember 5, 2023
2. 1.6.2Whistleblowing
   Updated
   March 12, 2026

1.7Notifications

1. 1.7.1Death or Serious Injury to a Child Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24September 4, 2025

2.Case Management and Recording

1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesSeptember 5, 2023
2. 2.0.2Case Records and RetentionAugust 21, 2023
3. 2.0.3Access to Records/Subject Access RequestsMarch 12, 2026
4. 2.0.4Confidentiality PolicyMarch 14, 2025
5. 2.0.5Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsMarch 14, 2025
6. 2.0.6Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffSeptember 5, 2023
7. 2.0.7Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesSeptember 4, 2025

3.Children in Particular Circumstances

3.1Children with Disabilities and Complex Health Needs

1. 3.1.1Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesMarch 14, 2025
2. 3.1.2Personal Budgets and Direct PaymentsMarch 14, 2025
3. 3.1.3Short BreaksSeptember 4, 2025
4. 3.1.4Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsSeptember 4, 2025
5. 3.1.5Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkMarch 14, 2025

3.2Deprivation of Liberty and Mental Capacity

1. 3.2.1Deprivation of Liberty
2. 3.2.2Mental Capacity

3.3Children from Abroad

1. 3.3.1Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern SlaveryMarch 14, 2025
2. 3.3.2Families with No Recourse to Public Funds
   Updated
   March 12, 2026

3.4Homelessness

1. 3.4.1Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 Year Olds who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation; and Duty to ReferSeptember 4, 2025

3.5Family and Friends Care

1. 3.5.1Kinship CareSeptember 4, 2025
2. 3.5.2Private FosteringMarch 14, 2024
3. 3.5.3Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingSeptember 4, 2024

3.6Young Carers

1. 3.6.1Young Carers
   Updated
   March 12, 2026

3.7Relinquished Children

1. 3.7.1Relinquished ChildrenMarch 12, 2026

3.8Mental Health

1. 3.8.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983March 14, 2025

4.Looked After Children

4.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

1. 4.1.1Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After ChildrenSeptember 4, 2025
2. 4.1.2Decision to Look AfterMarch 12, 2026
3. 4.1.3Care PlanningMarch 12, 2026
4. 4.1.4Ceasing to Look After a ChildSeptember 4, 2025
5. 4.1.5Permanence Planning GuidanceSeptember 5, 2023
6. 4.1.6Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsAugust 21, 2023
7. 4.1.7Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children
   Updated
   March 12, 2026
8. 4.1.8Risk Assessment and PlanningMarch 12, 2026
9. 4.1.9Providing Personalised CareAugust 21, 2023
10. 4.1.10NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People

4.2Placements

1. 4.2.1Placements with ParentsSeptember 5, 2023
2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected PersonsSeptember 4, 2024
3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster CareSeptember 5, 2023
4. 4.2.4Placements in Residential CareMarch 14, 2024
5. 4.2.5Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsMarch 14, 2024
6. 4.2.6Out of Area PlacementsSeptember 4, 2025
7. 4.2.7Placements Outside England and WalesAugust 21, 2023
8. 4.2.8Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation
   Updated
   March 12, 2026
9. 4.2.9Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersAugust 21, 2023
10. 4.2.10Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersSeptember 5, 2023
11. 4.2.11Placements in Other ArrangementsMarch 14, 2024
12. 4.2.12Health and SafetyMarch 14, 2025

4.3Monitoring and Reviews

1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Looked After ChildrenAugust 21, 2023
2. 4.3.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsSeptember 5, 2023
3. 4.3.3Looked After ReviewsMarch 14, 2025
4. 4.3.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersSeptember 4, 2025
5. 4.3.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsAugust 21, 2023
6. 4.3.6Notifications of Significant EventsSeptember 4, 2025

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

1. 4.4.1Contact with Parents/Adults and SiblingsMarch 14, 2025
2. 4.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)September 2, 2025

4.5Education, School Trips and Holidays

1. 4.5.1Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After ChildrenMarch 14, 2025
2. 4.5.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKSeptember 4, 2025
3. 4.5.3Leisure ActivitiesSeptember 4, 2025

4.6Health and Wellbeing

1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and PlansMarch 14, 2025
2. 4.6.2Personal Care and RelationshipsAugust 21, 2023
3. 4.6.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour Support
   Updated
   March 12, 2026
4. 4.6.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint
   Updated
   March 12, 2026

4.7Change of Name and Marriage/Civil Partnership

1. 4.7.1Change of Name of a Looked After ChildAugust 21, 2023
2. 4.7.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After ChildAugust 21, 2023

4.8Leaving Care and Transition

1. 4.8.1Leaving Care and TransitionMarch 14, 2025
2. 4.8.2Staying PutSeptember 4, 2025
3. 4.8.3Financial Arrangements for Care Leavers
   Updated
   March 12, 2026

4.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

1. 4.9.1Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services
   Updated
   March 12, 2026
2. 4.9.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in CustodySeptember 4, 2025
3. 4.9.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance
   Updated
   March 12, 2026

5.Fostering and Adoption

5.1Fostering Services

1. 5.1.1Fostering PanelAugust 21, 2023
2. 5.1.2Persons Disqualified from FosteringAugust 21, 2023
3. 5.1.3Assessment and Approvals of Foster CarersMarch 14, 2025
4. 5.1.4Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalAugust 21, 2023
5. 5.1.5Supervision and Support of Foster CarersSeptember 2, 2025
6. 5.1.6Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersAugust 21, 2023
7. 5.1.7Allegations Against Foster CarersSeptember 4, 2025
8. 5.1.8Training and Development of Foster CarersAugust 21, 2023

5.2Adoption and Permanence Services

1. 5.2.1Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective AdoptersMarch 12, 2026
2. 5.2.2Adoption PanelMarch 12, 2026
3. 5.2.3Placement for AdoptionMarch 14, 2025
4. 5.2.4Adoption Support
   Updated
   March 12, 2026
5. 5.2.5Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsAugust 21, 2023
6. 5.2.6Adoption ReviewsAugust 21, 2023
7. 5.2.7Disruption of Adoptive PlacementsAugust 21, 2023
8. 5.2.8Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already AdoptedMarch 14, 2025
9. 5.2.9Inter Country AdoptionMarch 12, 2026
10. 5.2.10Non Agency AdoptionAugust 21, 2023
11. 5.2.11Adoption Case Records
    Updated
    March 12, 2026
12. 5.2.12Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case RecordsAugust 21, 2023
13. 5.2.13Intermediary ServicesAugust 21, 2023
14. 5.2.14Life Story Books GuidanceAugust 21, 2023
15. 5.2.15Later Life LettersAugust 21, 2023
16. 5.2.16Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective AdoptersSeptember 5, 2023
17. 5.2.17Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere

5.3Special Guardianship

1. 5.3.1Applications for Special Guardianship Orders
   Updated
   March 12, 2026
2. 5.3.2Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceMarch 14, 2025

6.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

1. 6.0.1Local Contacts
   New
   March 12, 2026
2. 6.0.2List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers
   Updated
   March 12, 2026
3. 6.0.3Ofsted Inspection FrameworkMarch 14, 2025
4. 6.0.4Working Together to Safeguard Children