Contents

1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles
   New
   March 17, 2026
2. 1.1.2Children's Consultation and Participation
   New
   March 17, 2026
3. 1.1.3Equality and Diversity
   New
   March 17, 2026

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

1. 1.2.1Early Help Framework
   New
   March 17, 2026
2. 1.2.2Threshold Document - Continuum of Help and Support
   New
   March 17, 2026
3. 1.2.3Capacity and Consent
   New
   May 21, 2024
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 Referrals
   New
   March 17, 2026
2. 1.3.2Assessments
   New
   March 17, 2026
3. 1.3.3Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)
   New
   March 17, 2026
4. 1.3.4Local Protocol for Assessment - link to local procedures
5. 1.3.5Multi-Agency Safeguarding Children Procedures - link to SCP
6. 1.3.6Allocation of Work and Transfer between Teams - local

1.4Child in Need

1. 1.4.1Child in Need Plans and Reviews
   New
   March 17, 2026

1.5Legal Proceedings

1. 1.5.1Applications for Emergency Protection Orders
   New
   March 18, 2026
2. 1.5.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline
   New
   June 23, 2022
3. 1.5.3Legal Gateway/Planning Meetings
   New
   March 17, 2026
4. 1.5.4Disclosure of Information between Family and Criminal Agencies and Jurisdictions: 2024 Protocol
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 Representations
   New
   February 16, 2026
2. 1.6.2Whistleblowing - local

1.7Notifications

1. 1.7.1Death or Serious Harm to a Child, Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24
   New
   March 19, 2026

2.Case Management and Recording

1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and Guidelines
   New
   February 16, 2026
2. 2.0.2Case Records and Retention
   New
   February 16, 2026
3. 2.0.3Access to Records/Subject Access Requests
   New
   February 16, 2026
4. 2.0.4Confidentiality Policy
   New
   May 21, 2024
5. 2.0.5Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations
   New
   March 17, 2026
6. 2.0.6Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff
   New
   March 17, 2026
7. 2.0.7Storage of Data on Mobile Devices
   New
   March 17, 2026

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 Disabilities
   New
   August 20, 2024
2. 3.1.2Personal Budgets and Direct Payments
   New
   May 21, 2024
3. 3.1.3Short Breaks
   New
   March 17, 2026
4. 3.1.4Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings
   New
   August 20, 2024
5. 3.1.5Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National Framework
   New
   May 21, 2024

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 Slavery
   New
   March 20, 2026
2. 3.3.2Families with No Recourse to Public Funds
   New
   September 19, 2025

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 Refer
   New
   March 18, 2026

3.5Family and Friends / Kinship Care

1. 3.5.1Kinship Care
   New
   January 17, 2025
2. 3.5.2Private Fostering
   New
   March 19, 2026
3. 3.5.3Family Networks and Family Group Decision Making
   New
   March 18, 2024

3.6Young Carers

1. 3.6.1Young Carers
   New
   March 18, 2026

3.7Relinquished Children

1. 3.7.1Relinquished Children
   New
   March 19, 2026

3.8Mental Health

1. 3.8.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983
   New
   May 21, 2024

4.Looked After Children

4.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

1. 4.1.1Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After Children
   New
   May 16, 2025
2. 4.1.2Decision to Look After
   New
   March 18, 2026
3. 4.1.3Care Planning
   New
   March 18, 2026
4. 4.1.4Ceasing to Look After a Child
   New
   September 19, 2023
5. 4.1.5Permanence Planning Guidance
   New
   March 18, 2026
6. 4.1.6Placement Planning and Disruption Meetings
   New
   March 17, 2026
7. 4.1.7Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children
   New
   June 13, 2025
8. 4.1.8Risk Assessment and Planning
   New
   March 17, 2026
9. 4.1.9Providing Personalised Care
   New
   March 17, 2026
10. 4.1.10NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People

4.2Placements

1. 4.2.1Placements with Parents
   New
   March 17, 2026
2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected Persons
   New
   March 18, 2026
3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster Care
   New
   March 18, 2026
4. 4.2.4Placements in Residential Care
   New
   March 18, 2026
5. 4.2.5Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds
   New
   September 19, 2023
6. 4.2.6Out of Area Placements
   New
   March 18, 2026
7. 4.2.7Placements Outside England and Wales
   New
   March 18, 2026
8. 4.2.8Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation
   New
   March 17, 2026
9. 4.2.9Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement Providers
   New
   March 17, 2026
10. 4.2.10Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers
    New
    March 18, 2026
11. 4.2.11Placements in Other Arrangements
    New
    September 19, 2023
12. 4.2.12Health and Safety
    New
    February 16, 2026

4.3Monitoring and Reviews

1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children
   New
   March 18, 2026
2. 4.3.2Advocacy and Independent Visitors
   New
   March 18, 2026
3. 4.3.3Looked After Reviews
   New
   March 18, 2026
4. 4.3.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing Officers
   New
   March 17, 2026
5. 4.3.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews
   New
   March 18, 2026
6. 4.3.6Notifications of Significant Events
   New
   March 17, 2026

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

1. 4.4.1Contact with Parents/Adults and Siblings
   New
   March 17, 2026
2. 4.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)
   New
   March 17, 2026

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 Children
   New
   February 16, 2026
2. 4.5.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK
   New
   May 16, 2025
3. 4.5.3Leisure Activities
   New
   March 17, 2026

4.6Health and Wellbeing

1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and Plans
   New
   February 16, 2026
2. 4.6.2Personal Care and Relationships
   New
   March 17, 2026
3. 4.6.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour Support
   New
   February 16, 2026
4. 4.6.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint
   New
   March 17, 2026

4.7Change of Name and Marriage/Civil Partnership

1. 4.7.1Change of Name of a Looked After Child
   New
   March 17, 2026
2. 4.7.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After Child
   New
   March 17, 2026

4.8Leaving Care and Transition

1. 4.8.1Leaving Care and Transition
   New
   February 16, 2026
2. 4.8.2Staying Put
   New
   March 17, 2026
3. 4.8.3Financial Arrangements for Care Leavers - local procedure

4.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

1. 4.9.1Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services
   New
   March 17, 2026
2. 4.9.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody
   New
   March 17, 2026
3. 4.9.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance
   New
   May 16, 2025

5.Fostering and Adoption

5.1Fostering Services

1. 5.1.1Fostering Panel
   New
   March 18, 2026
2. 5.1.2Persons Disqualified from Fostering
   New
   March 18, 2026
3. 5.1.3Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers
   New
   May 21, 2024
4. 5.1.4Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer Approval
   New
   March 17, 2026
5. 5.1.5Supervision and Support of Foster Carers
   New
   March 17, 2026
6. 5.1.6Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers
   New
   March 17, 2026
7. 5.1.7Allegations Against Foster Carers
   New
   February 16, 2026
8. 5.1.8Training and Development of Foster Carers
   New
   March 18, 2026

5.2Adoption and Permanence Services

1. 5.2.1Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters
   New
   March 20, 2026
2. 5.2.2Adoption Panel
   New
   March 18, 2026
3. 5.2.3Placement for Adoption
   New
   February 16, 2026
4. 5.2.4Adoption Support
   New
   September 19, 2025
5. 5.2.5Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive Placements
   New
   March 18, 2026
6. 5.2.6Adoption Reviews
   New
   March 17, 2026
7. 5.2.7Disruption of Adoptive Placements
   New
   March 18, 2026
8. 5.2.8Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already Adopted
   New
   February 16, 2026
9. 5.2.9Inter Country Adoption
   New
   May 21, 2024
10. 5.2.10Non Agency Adoption
    New
    May 21, 2024
11. 5.2.11Adoption Case Records
    New
    February 16, 2026
12. 5.2.12Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records
    New
    February 16, 2026
13. 5.2.13Intermediary Services
    New
    March 17, 2026
14. 5.2.14Life Story Books Guidance
    New
    May 21, 2024
15. 5.2.15Later Life Letters
    New
    May 21, 2024
16. 5.2.16Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters
    New
    March 20, 2026
17. 5.2.17Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere

5.3Special Guardianship

1. 5.3.1Applications for Special Guardianship Orders
   New
   September 19, 2025
2. 5.3.2Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship Guidance
   New
   March 17, 2026

6.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

1. 6.0.1List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers
   New
   March 20, 2026
2. 6.0.2Ofsted Inspection Framework
   New
   August 20, 2024
3. 6.0.3Local Contacts - local procedure
4. 6.0.4Working Together to Safeguard Children