Contents

1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles February 10, 2025
2. 1.1.2Quality Assurance and Learning Framework
   New
   February 10, 2025
3. 1.1.3Confidentiality PolicyMay 21, 2024
4. 1.1.4Supervision and Line Management Policy
   New
   February 10, 2025
5. 1.1.5Supervision Template
   New
   February 10, 2025
6. 1.1.6Practice Standards: When Referral to Children's Services are Regarding the Family or Member of Bedford Borough Staff, or Anyone they have a Personal Relationship With
   New
   February 10, 2025
7. 1.1.7Participation and Engagement StrategyFebruary 10, 2025
8. 1.1.8Equality and DiversityJuly 25, 2022

1.2Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) / Early Help

1. 1.2.1Early Help StrategyFebruary 10, 2025
2. 1.2.2Early Help Assessment
   New
   February 10, 2025
3. 1.2.3Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 Year Olds who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation; and Duty to ReferFebruary 10, 2025
4. 1.2.4Family Group Conference Service
   New
   February 10, 2025
5. 1.2.5A Child Centred System - Understanding ThresholdsFebruary 11, 2025
6. 1.2.6Capacity and ConsentMay 21, 2024
7. 1.2.7Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)

1.3Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Missing

1. 1.3.1Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation
   New
   February 10, 2025
2. 1.3.2Safeguarding Children who Run Away and Go Missing from Home and Care
   New
   February 10, 2025

1.4Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

1. 1.4.1Contacts and ReferralsFebruary 11, 2025
2. 1.4.2Children's Services Team Processes (Flowchart)
   New
   February 10, 2025
3. 1.4.3Single AssessmentFebruary 10, 2025
4. 1.4.4Section 47 EnquiriesFebruary 10, 2025
5. 1.4.5Complex Strategy Meetings - Practice Guide
   New
   February 10, 2025
6. 1.4.6Strategy Meetings - Practice Guide
   New
   February 10, 2025
7. 1.4.7Procedure and Guidance in relation to Pre-Birth Planning and Assessments
   New
   February 10, 2025
8. 1.4.8Local Resources

1.5Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC)

1. 1.5.1Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern SlaveryApril 11, 2025
2. 1.5.2Families with No Recourse to Public FundsFebruary 10, 2025

1.6Children in Need

1. 1.6.1Young CarersFebruary 11, 2025
2. 1.6.2Child in Need Meetings and the Child in Need PlanFebruary 10, 2025

1.7Court Proceedings

1. 1.7.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersFebruary 11, 2025
2. 1.7.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law OutlineJune 23, 2022
3. 1.7.3Legal Planning MeetingsFebruary 11, 2025
4. 1.7.4Joint Protocol on Supervision Orders (The East of England Children's Services)
   New
   February 10, 2025
5. 1.7.5Disclosure of Information between Family and Criminal Agencies and Jurisdictions: 2024 Protocol
6. 1.7.6Family 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.

1.8Children with Disabilities

1. 1.8.1Children With Disabilities Team
   New
   February 10, 2025
2. 1.8.2Personal Budgets and Direct PaymentsMay 21, 2024
3. 1.8.3Short BreaksFebruary 13, 2025
4. 1.8.4Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
   Updated
   April 11, 2025
5. 1.8.5Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings
   Updated
   April 11, 2025
6. 1.8.6Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkMay 21, 2024

1.9Child Protection

1. 1.9.1Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24)February 11, 2025
2. 1.9.2MAPPA - Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements
   New
   February 10, 2025
3. 1.9.3Guidance on Child Protection Visiting
   New
   February 10, 2025
4. 1.9.4Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton Safeguarding Children Partnerships Procedures

1.10Deprivation of Liberty and Mental Capacity

1. 1.10.1Deprivation of Liberty
2. 1.10.2Mental Capacity

1.11Mental Health

1. 1.11.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983April 11, 2025

1.12Complaints and Whistleblowing

1. 1.12.1Complaints and RepresentationsSeptember 23, 2024
2. 1.12.2Whistleblowing or Raising Concerns at Work
   New
   February 10, 2025

2.Looked After Children

2.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

1. 2.1.1Looked After Children Strategy
   New
   February 10, 2025
2. 2.1.2Decision to Look AfterOctober 9, 2024
3. 2.1.3Care PlanningAugust 19, 2024
4. 2.1.4Kinship CareJanuary 17, 2025
5. 2.1.5Ceasing to Look After a ChildSeptember 19, 2023
6. 2.1.6Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After Children
   Updated
   April 11, 2025
7. 2.1.7Permanence Planning GuidanceFebruary 11, 2025
8. 2.1.8Permanency Planning Meetings
   New
   February 10, 2025
9. 2.1.9Placement Planning, Placement Stability and Placement DisruptionsFebruary 11, 2025
10. 2.1.10Placements in Foster CareFebruary 11, 2025
11. 2.1.11Long Term Foster Care
    New
    February 10, 2025
12. 2.1.12Placements in Residential CareSeptember 19, 2023
13. 2.1.13Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention AccommodationFebruary 11, 2025
14. 2.1.14A Guide for Staff working with Looked After Children under the provisions of LASPO in Bedfordshire Youth Offending Service and Bedford Borough/Central Bedfordshire Children's Services
    New
    February 10, 2025
15. 2.1.15Remand to Youth Detention Accommodation (YDA) and Remand to Local Authority Accommodation (LAA) guidance for Court Officers
    New
    February 10, 2025
16. 2.1.16Out of Area PlacementsFebruary 13, 2025
17. 2.1.17Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsSeptember 19, 2023
18. 2.1.18Placements with ParentsFebruary 11, 2025
19. 2.1.19Placements Outside England and WalesFebruary 11, 2025
20. 2.1.20Notifications from Other Local AuthoritiesFebruary 11, 2025
21. 2.1.21Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersFebruary 11, 2025
22. 2.1.22Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice ServicesFebruary 11, 2025
23. 2.1.23Notifications of Significant EventsAugust 19, 2024
24. 2.1.24Placements in Other ArrangementsSeptember 19, 2023
25. 2.1.25Risk Assessment and PlanningMarch 23, 2022
26. 2.1.26Providing Personalised CareMarch 23, 2022
27. 2.1.27Health and Safety
    Updated
    April 11, 2025
28. 2.1.28Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance
    Updated
    April 11, 2025

2.2Monitoring and Reviews

1. 2.2.1Social Worker Visits to Looked After ChildrenFebruary 13, 2025
2. 2.2.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsFebruary 11, 2025
3. 2.2.3Looked After ReviewsApril 11, 2025
4. 2.2.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersFebruary 13, 2025
5. 2.2.5Case Escalation Process
   New
   February 10, 2025
6. 2.2.6Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsFebruary 13, 2025

2.3Contact and Overnight Stays

1. 2.3.1Contact with Parents/Adults and SiblingsFebruary 13, 2025
2. 2.3.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)September 23, 2024

2.4Education, School Trips and Holidays

1. 2.4.1Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKApril 17, 2024
2. 2.4.2Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After ChildrenJuly 25, 2023
3. 2.4.3Leisure ActivitiesMarch 23, 2022

2.5Health and Wellbeing

1. 2.5.1Health Care Assessments and PlansFebruary 13, 2025
2. 2.5.2Personal Care and RelationshipsJuly 26, 2022
3. 2.5.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour ManagementMarch 17, 2023
4. 2.5.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and RestraintFebruary 11, 2025

2.6Identity

1. 2.6.1Change of Name of a Looked After ChildFebruary 7, 2024
2. 2.6.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After ChildNovember 28, 2023

3.Adoption

3.1Adoption and Permanence

1. 3.1.1Adoption Agency Statement of Purpose
   New
   February 10, 2025
2. 3.1.2Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters
   Updated
   April 11, 2025
3. 3.1.3Adoption PanelFebruary 13, 2025
4. 3.1.4Placement for Adoption
   Updated
   April 11, 2025
5. 3.1.5Adoption SupportFebruary 13, 2025
6. 3.1.6Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsFebruary 11, 2025
7. 3.1.7Adoption ReviewsJuly 26, 2022
8. 3.1.8Disruption of Adoptive PlacementsFebruary 11, 2025
9. 3.1.9Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already Adopted
   Updated
   April 11, 2025
10. 3.1.10Inter Country AdoptionMay 21, 2024
11. 3.1.11Non Agency AdoptionMay 21, 2024
12. 3.1.12Adoption Case RecordsFebruary 11, 2025
13. 3.1.13Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case RecordsUnder Review
14. 3.1.14Intermediary ServicesFebruary 11, 2025
15. 3.1.15Life Story Books GuidanceMay 21, 2024
16. 3.1.16Later Life LettersMay 21, 2024
17. 3.1.17Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective AdoptersAugust 25, 2023
18. 3.1.18Local Resources (Adoption and Permanence)
19. 3.1.19Good Practice Guidance for Adoption Agencies and Cafcass: Children Relinquished for Adoption
20. 3.1.20Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere

3.2Special Guardianship

1. 3.2.1Special Guardianship Order Policy and ProcedureFebruary 10, 2025
2. 3.2.2Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceSeptember 23, 2024
3. 3.2.3Child Arrangements Orders
   New
   February 10, 2025

4.Fostering Services

1. 4.0.1Fostering Statement of Purpose
   New
   February 10, 2025
2. 4.0.2Private FosteringFebruary 13, 2025
3. 4.0.3Placements with Connected PersonsFebruary 13, 2025
4. 4.0.4Fostering PanelJuly 26, 2022
5. 4.0.5Persons Disqualified from FosteringJuly 26, 2022
6. 4.0.6Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers
   Updated
   Under Review
7. 4.0.7Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalSeptember 23, 2024
8. 4.0.8Supervision and Support of Foster CarersFebruary 13, 2025
9. 4.0.9Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersUnder Review
10. 4.0.10Allegations Against Foster Carers
    Updated
    April 11, 2025
11. 4.0.11Training and Development of Foster CarersMarch 23, 2022
12. 4.0.12Local Resources (Fostering Service)

5.Leaving Care and Transition

1. 5.0.1Leaving Care and Transition
   Updated
   April 11, 2025
2. 5.0.2Staying PutFebruary 11, 2025
3. 5.0.3Financial Arrangements for Care Leavers
   New
   To Follow
4. 5.0.4Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in CustodyFebruary 13, 2025

6.Case Management and Recording

1. 6.0.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesSeptember 19, 2023
2. 6.0.2Case Records for Looked After Children (including Retention)February 10, 2025
3. 6.0.3Access to RecordsFebruary 10, 2025
4. 6.0.4Transfer Protocol - Children's Services
   New
   February 10, 2025
5. 6.0.5Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsDecember 18, 2024
6. 6.0.6Caseload Policy
   New
   February 10, 2025
7. 6.0.7Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffMarch 28, 2024
8. 6.0.8Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesNovember 27, 2024

7.Appendices

1. 7.0.1List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated OfficersFebruary 10, 2025
2. 7.0.2Ofsted Inspection Framework
   Updated
   April 11, 2025
3. 7.0.3Working Together to Safeguard Children
4. 7.0.4Local Resources
5. 7.0.5Amendments