Contents

1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and PrinciplesMay 29, 2025
2. 1.1.2Children's Consultation and ParticipationMay 29, 2025
3. 1.1.3Equality and DiversityMarch 10, 2025
4. 1.1.4Local Resources

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

1. 1.2.1Early Help FrameworkMay 29, 2025
2. 1.2.2Threshold Document - Continuum of Help and SupportMay 29, 2025
3. 1.2.3Capacity and ConsentOctober 31, 2025
4. 1.2.4Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)
5. 1.2.5Local Resources

1.3Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

1. 1.3.1Contacts and ReferralsMay 29, 2025
2. 1.3.2AssessmentsOctober 31, 2025
3. 1.3.3Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)May 29, 2025
4. 1.3.4Management of Case Transfers in Children’s Social CareMay 29, 2025
5. 1.3.5Local Protocol for AssessmentTo Follow
6. 1.3.6London Safeguarding Children Procedures
7. 1.3.7Local Resources

1.4Child in Need

1. 1.4.1Child in Need Plans and ReviewsMay 29, 2025
2. 1.4.2Local Resources

1.5Legal Proceedings

1. 1.5.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersMarch 10, 2025
2. 1.5.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline
   Updated
   April 9, 2026
3. 1.5.3Legal Gateway/Planning MeetingsMarch 10, 2025
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.
7. 1.5.7Local Resources

1.6Complaints and Whistleblowing

1. 1.6.1Complaints and RepresentationsApril 9, 2026
2. 1.6.2WhistleblowingTo Follow
3. 1.6.3Dispute Resolution ProcessMay 29, 2025
4. 1.6.4Local Resources

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 24April 9, 2026
2. 1.7.2Local Resources

2.Case Management and Recording

1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesMay 29, 2025
2. 2.0.2Case Records and RetentionMarch 10, 2025
3. 2.0.3Access to Records/Subject Access RequestsMarch 10, 2025
4. 2.0.4Confidentiality PolicyMay 21, 2024
5. 2.0.5Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsMarch 10, 2025
6. 2.0.6Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffMarch 10, 2025
7. 2.0.7Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesMarch 10, 2025
8. 2.0.8Local Resources

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
   Updated
   April 9, 2026
2. 3.1.2Personal Budgets and Direct PaymentsOctober 31, 2025
3. 3.1.3Short BreaksMay 29, 2025
4. 3.1.4Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsOctober 31, 2025
5. 3.1.5Children and Young People's Continuing Care National FrameworkMay 29, 2025
6. 3.1.6Local Resources

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 SlaveryApril 9, 2026
2. 3.3.2Families with No Recourse to Public Funds
   Updated
   April 9, 2026
3. 3.3.3Local Resources

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 ReferMay 29, 2025
2. 3.4.2Joint Protocol for Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of AccommodationMay 29, 2025
3. 3.4.3Local Resources

3.5Family and Friends / Kinship Care

1. 3.5.1Kinship Care
   Updated
   April 9, 2026
2. 3.5.2Private FosteringMay 29, 2025
3. 3.5.3Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingMay 29, 2025
4. 3.5.4Local Resources

3.6Young Carers

1. 3.6.1Young CarersOctober 31, 2025
2. 3.6.2Local Resources

3.7Relinquished Children

1. 3.7.1Relinquished ChildrenApril 9, 2026
2. 3.7.2Local Resources

3.8Mental Health

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

3.9Missing Children

1. 3.9.1Children Missing from Home and CareMay 29, 2025

3.10Elective Home Education

1. 3.10.1Elective Home Education PolicyMay 29, 2025

3.11Children Living Away from Home

1. 3.11.1S85 Notification of Children Living Away from HomeOctober 31, 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 ChildrenOctober 31, 2025
2. 4.1.2Decision to Look AfterMarch 10, 2025
3. 4.1.3Care PlanningMarch 10, 2025
4. 4.1.4Ceasing to Look After a ChildSeptember 19, 2023
5. 4.1.5Permanence Planning GuidanceMarch 10, 2025
6. 4.1.6Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsMarch 10, 2025
7. 4.1.7Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After ChildrenOctober 31, 2025
8. 4.1.8Risk Assessment and PlanningApril 9, 2026
9. 4.1.9Providing Personalised CareMarch 10, 2025
10. 4.1.10Supervision Order ProcedureMay 29, 2025
11. 4.1.11NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People
12. 4.1.12Local Resources

4.2Placements

1. 4.2.1Placements with ParentsMay 29, 2025
2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected PersonsMarch 10, 2025
3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster CareMay 29, 2025
4. 4.2.4Placements in Residential CareMay 29, 2025
5. 4.2.5Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsMay 29, 2025
6. 4.2.6Out of Area PlacementsMarch 10, 2025
7. 4.2.7Placements Outside England and WalesMarch 10, 2025
8. 4.2.8Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation
   Updated
   April 9, 2026
9. 4.2.9Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersMarch 10, 2025
10. 4.2.10Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersMay 29, 2025
11. 4.2.11Placements in Other ArrangementsSeptember 19, 2023
12. 4.2.12Health and SafetyMay 29, 2025
13. 4.2.13Local Resources

4.3Monitoring and Reviews

1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Looked After ChildrenMarch 10, 2025
2. 4.3.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsMay 29, 2025
3. 4.3.3Looked After ReviewsMay 29, 2025
4. 4.3.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersMarch 10, 2025
5. 4.3.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsMarch 10, 2025
6. 4.3.6Notifications of Significant EventsApril 9, 2026
7. 4.3.7Local Resources

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

1. 4.4.1Contact with Parents/Adults and SiblingsMay 29, 2025
2. 4.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)March 10, 2025
3. 4.4.3Local Resources

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 ChildrenMay 29, 2025
2. 4.5.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKOctober 31, 2025
3. 4.5.3Leisure ActivitiesOctober 31, 2025
4. 4.5.4Local Resources

4.6Health and Wellbeing

1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and PlansMarch 10, 2025
2. 4.6.2Personal Care and RelationshipsMarch 10, 2025
3. 4.6.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour Support
   Updated
   April 9, 2026
4. 4.6.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint
   Updated
   April 9, 2026
5. 4.6.5Local Resources

4.7Change of Name and Marriage/Civil Partnership

1. 4.7.1Change of Name of a Looked After ChildMarch 10, 2025
2. 4.7.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After ChildMarch 10, 2025
3. 4.7.3Local Resources

4.8Leaving Care and Transition

1. 4.8.1Leaving Care and Transition
   Updated
   April 9, 2026
2. 4.8.2Staying PutApril 9, 2026
3. 4.8.3Life Long LinksMay 29, 2025
4. 4.8.4Financial Arrangements for Care LeaversMay 29, 2025
5. 4.8.5Local Resources

4.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

1. 4.9.1Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services
   Updated
   April 9, 2026
2. 4.9.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in CustodyMay 29, 2025
3. 4.9.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National GuidanceOctober 31, 2025
4. 4.9.4Joint Working Protocol CSC, YJS and TYSMay 29, 2025
5. 4.9.5Local Resources

5.Fostering and Adoption

5.1Fostering Services

1. 5.1.1Fostering PanelMarch 10, 2025
2. 5.1.2Persons Disqualified from FosteringMarch 10, 2025
3. 5.1.3Assessment and Approvals of Foster CarersMay 21, 2024
4. 5.1.4Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalMarch 10, 2025
5. 5.1.5Supervision and Support of Foster CarersMarch 10, 2025
6. 5.1.6Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersMarch 10, 2025
7. 5.1.7Allegations Against Foster CarersMay 29, 2025
8. 5.1.8Training and Development of Foster CarersMarch 10, 2025
9. 5.1.9Local Resources

5.2Adoption and Permanence Services

1. 5.2.1Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective AdoptersMay 29, 2025
2. 5.2.2Adoption PanelMarch 10, 2025
3. 5.2.3Placement for AdoptionMay 29, 2025
4. 5.2.4Adoption SupportApril 9, 2026
5. 5.2.5Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsMarch 10, 2025
6. 5.2.6Adoption ReviewsMarch 10, 2025
7. 5.2.7Disruption of Adoptive PlacementsMarch 10, 2025
8. 5.2.8Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already AdoptedMay 29, 2025
9. 5.2.9Inter Country AdoptionMay 21, 2024
10. 5.2.10Non Agency AdoptionMay 21, 2024
11. 5.2.11Adoption Case Records
    Updated
    April 9, 2026
12. 5.2.12Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case RecordsMarch 10, 2025
13. 5.2.13Intermediary ServicesMarch 10, 2025
14. 5.2.14Life Story Books GuidanceMay 21, 2024
15. 5.2.15Later Life LettersMay 21, 2024
16. 5.2.16Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective AdoptersMarch 10, 2025
17. 5.2.17Local Resources
18. 5.2.18Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere

5.3Special Guardianship

1. 5.3.1Applications for Special Guardianship OrdersApril 9, 2026
2. 5.3.2Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceMarch 10, 2025
3. 5.3.3Local Resources

6.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

1. 6.0.1List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated OfficersMarch 10, 2025
2. 6.0.2Ofsted Inspection FrameworkAugust 20, 2024
3. 6.0.3Working Together to Safeguard Children
4. 6.0.4Local Resources
5. 6.0.5Amendments