Amendments
June 2024
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Contacts and Referrals | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Assessments | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Young Carers | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | A link to 'BASW Age Assessment Practice Guidance' has been added into Section 4, Age Assessment and a link to 'Operation Innerste Process: Caseworker Guidance' has been added into Further Information. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | Information in relation to family group decision-making has been added into Section 1, Introduction and Time Limits and Section 5, Pre-Proceedings. A link to the Family Networks and Family Group Decision Making Procedure has also been added. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | Section 15, Resolving Disagreements has been updated to include information on Guidance: Carry Out an Order in Special Educational Needs Cases. It has also 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. |
| Wandsworth Family and Friends Care Policy | Section 5, Different Situations whereby Children may be Living with Family and Friends Carers has been updated to include information about Ukrainian children being cared for my family and friends in the UK. This chapter was also updated to reflect Championing Kinship Care: The National Kinship Care strategy. |
| Children Looked After in Residential Care | This chapter has been updated to include information from Guidance - Placing Children: Deprivation of Liberty Orders (Ofsted) - guidance for providers, social workers and placement commissioners on placing children, subject to a deprivation of liberty order (DoL), in unregistered settings. |
| 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 throughout in line with Revised Practice Guidance on the Court's Approach to Unregistered Placements (October 2023) and Revised National Listing Protocol for Applications that Seek Deprivation of Liberty Orders Relating to Children under the Inherent Jurisdiction. |
| Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievements of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Staying Put | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24) | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Notifications of Significant Events | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children and Young People's Continuing Care National Framework | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Family Networks and Family Group Decision Making | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Next Update: December 2024 | |
December 2023
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Capacity and Consent | Amendments have been made to reflect case-law in relation to assessing legal capacity. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been updated. Information has been added in to Section 4, Assessment in relation to the National Age Assessment Board. |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | 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. |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | Section 2, Ordinary Residence has been updated in line with case law. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | 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. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been updated. Information has been added into Section 15, Resolving Disagreements in relation to legal aid for foster carers and prospective adoptive parents in First Tier Tribunal appeals. |
| 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 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. |
| Placements in Other Arrangements | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Health and Safety | Additional information has been added about online safety. |
| Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievements of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been amended to note that with effect from 1 April 2023, the leaving care allowance increased from £2,000 to £3,000. |
| Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters | This chapter has been refreshed and a link added to National Early Permanence Practice Standards (Coram Centre for Early Permanence). |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Ofsted Inspection Framework | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
June 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. In Relevant Guidance, a link has been added to Pre-proceedings and Family Justice Hub (Research in Practice). |
| 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 | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
| 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 and Safety | Information in relation to allergies has been added into Section 6, Diet, Nutrition and Allergies. |
| Health Care Assessments and Plans | Information in relation to allergies has been added into Section 4, Health Plans. |
| Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management | This chapter has been amended to incorporate Ofsted feedback. Additional information has been added into Section 2, Positive Behaviour Support and Section 5.4, Recording of Sanctions. |
| Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Child Looked After | This chapter has been amended 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. |
| Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already Adopted | 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 was 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 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. |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
December 2022
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been updated. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Decision to Look After | This chapter has been updated. |
| Ceasing to Look After a Child | This chapter has been updated. |
| 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 with Parents/Adults and Siblings | Section 3 Supervised Contact has been updated to reflect a finding by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman that the supervisor's observations of the contact must be clearly recorded in the child's record and shared with the parents within 3 months of the visit. |
| Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management | This chapter has been updated. |
| Restrictive Physical Intervention | This chapter has been updated. |
| Children Looked After 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. |
| Fostering and Permanence Panel | This chapter has been updated. |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated. |
| Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters | This chapter has been updated. |
| Adoption and Permanence Panel | This chapter has been updated. |
| Placement for Adoption | This chapter has been updated. |
| Adoption Support | This chapter has been updated. |
| Disruption of Adoptive Placements | This chapter has been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Equality and Diversity | This chapter has been added. |
| Care Planning | This chapter has been added. |
| Risk Assessment and Planning | This chapter has been added. |
| Providing Personalised Care | This chapter has been added. |
| Health and Safety | This chapter has been added. |
| Leisure Activities | This chapter has been added. |
| Training and Development of Foster Carers | This chapter has been added. |
June 2022
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been updated. |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | This chapter has been updated. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated. |
| Legal Gateway/Planning Meetings | This chapter has been updated. |
| 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. |
| Short Breaks | This chapter has been amended to include a link to the Wandsworth Eligibility Criteria for Short Breaks (December 2021). |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | Section 1.3, Section 20 Accommodation has been revised in line with the Public Law Working Group (PLWG) Recommendations to Achieve Best Practice in the Child Protection and Family Justice Systems. |
| 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 NYAS, My Things Matter Report (see Section 5, Administration / Process Issues). |
| Placements with Parents | This chapter has been updated. |
| 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). |
| Children Looked After 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, Children 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. |
| Restrictive Physical Intervention | A new Further Information section has been added. |
| 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. |
| Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations | Part 1 of this chapter has been updated in line with case-law. |
| Accessing Service User Social Media Sites | This chapter has been given a general refresh. |
December 2021
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Contacts and Referrals | Guidance contained in this chapter has been reviewed and updated as required to reflect guidance from the refreshed Working Together to Safeguard Children and related changes to the London Safeguarding Children Procedures. |
| 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 Sharing has been updated to reflect revisions contained in the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers who Work with Children | This chapter has been added updated. |
| 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. |
| Relinquished Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect case-law setting out lessons for the future in non-notification cases. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | 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 were made to this chapter in line with the UK's exit from the EEA. |
| Child in Need Plans and Reviews | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | This chapter has been updated. A new Section 2, Ordinary Residence has been added. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated. The link has been updated to the SWET (updated April 2021). Section 2, Pre-Proceedings has been updated to include information in relation to pre-birth assessments and planning where the mother has learning disabilities. It has also been updated to reflect Practice Guidance on Special Guardianship (Family Justice Council, June 2020). See in particular Section 9, Expectations of the Local Authority by the Court. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been refreshed and updated and includes 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. |
| Wandsworth Family and Friends Care Policy | This chapter has been revised. A new Section 7, Education has been added and information added on the School Admission Code. |
| Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Children Looked After | 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.' |
| Children Looked After 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. Additional information has also been added in relation to placements in Scotland, in line with a High Court case. |
| 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 updated. |
| Education of Children with a Social Worker, Children Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been significantly amended to reflect the 'Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted)'; updated 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' (see Scope of This Chapter) and Sexual Harassment in Education – Briefing (House Of Parliament Library) (see Section 8.2, Protecting looked after children from sexual harassment and Child-on-Child abuse). The chapter has also been amended to reflect Promoting the Education of Children with a Social Worker: Virtual School Head Role Extension, June 2021. In Section 6, When a Child Needs or Joins a New School, information has been added on the School Admission Code. THIS PROCEDURE IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW INTERNALLY BY NOVA LEVINE, WANDSWORTH VIRTUAL SCHOOL HEADTEACHER. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT NOVA ON 0208 871 7348 |
| 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. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been revised. In Section 12, The Special Guardianship Support Plan, information has been added on the School Admission Code. It has also been updated to reflect Practice Guidance on Special Guardianship published by the Family Justice Council (June 2020). See Section 6.2, Special Guardianship Applications in Care Proceedings and new Section 16, Special Guardianship Orders in International Cases. |
| Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations | Information has been added on recording by employees in a professional capacity, and links added to relevant guidance. |
| Complaints and Representations | This chapter has been amended to reflect the Children's Statutory Complaint Process: Guide for Practitioners (Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman, 2021). (See Relevant Guidance). |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Placements in Other Arrangements | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
June 2021
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Contacts and Referrals | Links to local guidance have been updated. |
| Capacity and Consent | Local documents have been updated. |
| Assessments | Links to local information have been updated. |
| Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47) | Links to local guidance have been updated. |
| 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 to add 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. (See Section 4, Housing Protocols for Care Leavers). |
| Legal Planning Meetings | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | 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. |
| Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Children Looked After | A link has been added to Children Looked After and Care Leavers Placement Sufficiency Strategy 2020-21. |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | Links to local information have been updated. |
| Ceasing to Look After a Child | Links to local guidance have been updated and this chapter has been updated in line with latest statutory guidance. |
| Permanence Planning Guidance | Links to local information have been updated. |
| Wandsworth Family and Friends Care Policy | This policy has been updated. |
| Placements with Parents | The Practice Guidance section has been updated. In Section 1.6, Social Work Visits During the Placement, visits frequency have been amended to 4 weeks (previously 6 weeks). |
| Placements with Connected Persons under Regulation 24 | Additional information has been added into Section 3, Approval of Immediate Placements of Children Looked After with Connected Persons in line with local practice. The Practice Guidance section has also been updated. |
| Placements in Foster Care | This chapter has been updated in line with local practice and terminology and to update links to local practice guidance. Visiting frequency has been changed to 4 weeks (previously 6 weeks). |
| Placements in Residential Care | This chapter has been updated in line with local practice and terminology and to update links to local practice guidance. Timescales have been changed in Section 2.4, Notification of Placement and Section 3.1, Support and Monitoring of Placements. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | A 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. In Section 9.1, Support and Monitoring of Placements, the time interval for social work visits to the child has been changed to every four weeks (previously six weeks). |
| Out of Area Placements | This chapter has been updated in line with local practice and terminology and to update links to local practice guidance. |
| Social Worker Visits to Children Looked After | This chapter has been revised significantly, therefore it should be re read in its entirety. Visiting frequency has been changed to not more than four weeks (previously six weeks). |
| Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews | This chapter has been updated. Added in to Section 4, Secure Accommodation Review Panel: Details about possible independent persons can be requested from the Secure Accommodation Unit or the Quality Assurance Team. |
| Education of Children Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect changes from the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK | This guidance has been reviewed and updated throughout. Section 2.3, Insurance Cover has been updated to include details of how to apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which provides access to reduced cost or free medical insurance in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Section 2.4, Obtaining a Passport has also been updated to link to reissued Home Office guidance for Local Authorities Children's Services Departments when Applying for Passports on Behalf of Children. |
| Health Care Assessments and Plans | This chapter has been updated in line with local practice and terminology and updated links to local practice guidance. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been updated, updated links to local practice guidance. |
| Children Looked After and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services | This chapter has been updated, updated links to local practice guidance. In Section 7.3, Social Work Visits, frequency of visits has been change to 4 weeks (previously 6 weeks). |
| Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Children Looked After 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). Visiting frequency has been changed to 4 weeks (previously 6 weeks). |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been reviewed and refreshed. Links have been added to new chapter Allegations Against Staff and Volunteers who Work with Children, and to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) Referral Form (Policy, Protocols and Practice Guidance). |
| Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records | This chapter has been given a general refresh throughout and information added on applying for a copy of a birth certificate online. |
| Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations | This chapter has been updated. A new Section 5, Child Protection Conferences has been added. |
| Accessing Service User Social Media Sites | Links to local information has been updated. |
| Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need) | Links to local information has been updated. |
| Notification of Significant Events When Child Looked After Placement is Independent Fostering Agency or Children's Home | This chapter has been updated. |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children Missing from Home and Care Policy and Protocol | This protocol fully explores the issues around children who go missing or are absent and describes in some detail the process and protocols across this multi-agency area of concern. |
| Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers who Work with Children | This procedure provides information about dealing with allegations against staff and volunteers who have contact with children and young people in their work or voluntary activities. |
| Pre-Birth Assessments and Pre-Birth Conferences | This guidance provides a framework for multi-agency working where there are concerns about the welfare of an unborn child and/or there may be concerns following the birth. |
| Neglect Strategy | The purpose of the Neglect Strategy is to set out the strategic aims and objectives of Wandsworth's approach to tackling neglect. |
| Multi Agency Risk Vulnerability Exploitation Protocol | This protocol fully explores the issues around children who are at risk, vulnerable or experiencing child exploitation and describes in some detail the process and protocols across this multi-agency area of concern. |
| Children Missing from Home and Care Policy and Protocol | This protocol fully explores the issues around children who go missing or are absent and describes in some detail the process and protocols across this multi-agency area of concern. |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | This policy applies when a child or care leaver is discharged from hospital after having been detained under the Mental Health Act 1983. |
January 2021
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| 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 updated and should be re-read throughout. |
| 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 procedure has been updated to reflect the latest Ofsted guidance for social care providers on the types of incident which they consider to be serious and which will therefore require notification to the regulatory authority. New sections have been added on the quality of notifications and learning from notifications. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | A revised link has been added to Prepare for a review panel: adopters and foster carers. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters | A revised link has been added to Prepare for a review panel: adopters and foster carers. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Capacity and Consent | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Storage of Data on Mobile Devices | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
June 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. Note: The existing paper forms will be accepted until 29th February 2020. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been updated to take account of the new NRM digital referral form to report Modern Slavery. |
| Legal Planning Meetings | This chapter has been updated. |
| Notifications of Significant Events | This procedure has been updated to reflect revised guidance issued by Ofsted to Children's Homes Providers in August 2019. The revised guidance sought to clarify what is meant by a 'serious event' in relation to a child living in a Children's Homes with the aim of reducing the overall number of notifications made to Ofsted, and in particular reducing the number of repeat notifications made as a result of submitting additional / updated information. |
| Education of Children Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect Keeping Children Safe in Education 2019 which replaces the 2018 version. Section 8, Safeguarding the Looked After Child at School has been amended to include reference to Upskirting (which is now a criminal offence) and serious violence. In Section 1.3, Role of the Local Authority, Virtual School Head (VSH), and School - OFSTED's advice that Local Authorities should exercise due diligence in ensuring schools for LAC pupils are registered with the DFE has been added. |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been reviewed and refreshed, and terminology has been updated where required. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | An update has been made in Section 1, Principles to draw attention to OFSTED's advice that Local Authorities should exercise due diligence in ensuring schools for pupils with SEN are registered with the DFE. The same diligence should be exercised on behalf of pupils with SEN. |
| 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?). |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | These details have been updated locally. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Financial Assistance Section 17 (s17) Children Act 1989 | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
December 2019
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Private Fostering | This chapter has been amended. It confirms in Section 14, After the Private Fostering Arrangement Ends 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. |
| Child in Need Plans and Reviews | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been 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, (unless otherwise specifically directed by the court). In addition, a new subsection of Section 4.1, Local Authority Documentation - 'Final Care Plan' 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. |
| 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 (see Section 2.1, The Care Plan - Contents). |
| Placements with Parents | This chapter has been updated to note that this procedure does not apply to children subject to Interim Care Orders where the placement is required by the court under Section 38(6) Children Act 1989 for the purposes of assessment (see Scope of this Chapter). |
| Notifications of Significant Events | This chapter has been significantly updated throughout. It should be re-read in its entirety. |
Leaving Care and Transition |
Amendments have been made in:
|
| Social Worker Visits to Children Looked After | This chapter has been revised significantly, therefore it should be re-read in its entirety. |
| Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews | This chapter has been reviewed and updated. The requirement for clear separation of reviews (for clarifying whether the criteria for keeping a child in secure accommodation are met, and the child's looked after review) has been emphasised. Clarifying whether the criteria for keeping a child in secure accommodation are met must come before a LAC review so the decision can inform the LAC review and they must be chaired by different individuals. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 9, Representations / Independent Review Procedure |
| 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 (see Section 1, Introduction) and relevant aspects of Schedule 6 The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 (see Section 2, Planned Supervision Visits). |
| Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers | A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 6, Representations/Review Procedure. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters | This chapter has been amended to reflect the national changes in adoption registration and matching (see Section 9, After the Panel Recommendation). A link has also been added to Attending an IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 10, Representations / Independent Review Procedure. |
| Placement for Adoption | This chapter has been amended to reflect the national changes in adoption registration and matching (see Section 7.13, Inter Agency Placements and Section 11, Children Approved for Adoption for Whom no Placement has been Identified). |
| Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records | A link has been added to Attending and IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 3.2, Adoption Orders made on or after 30 December 2005. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been updated to reference and reflect the Family Justice Council Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship, Courts and Tribunals Judiciary (see new Section 6.2, Special Guardianship applications in care proceedings). |
| Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship Guidance | This chapter has been updated to note the Family Justice Council Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship, Courts and Tribunals Judiciary (May 2019). See Section 3, Special Guardianship - Matters to be Dealt with in Report for the Court and final points 11 and 12. |
| Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need) | This chapter has been updated throughout to reflect Working Together to Safeguard Children and the process for reporting a serious incident to the Panel via the Child Safeguarding Incident Notification System. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Wandsworth Safeguarding Children and Young People Missing Children Protocol | This link has been added to the manual. |
| Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Records Management | This document has been added to the manual. |
June 2019
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Assessments | This chapter has been revised to reflect updated guidance on Assessment in Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| 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 order to include local authorities duty to refer. It should be re read in its entirety. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | A new Section 6, Suitable Placements has been added. Details of the National Transfer Scheme Protocol for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children Version 2.0 March 2018 have been added into Section 1, Introduction and Definitions. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been amended in to reflect HHJ Greensmith's comments regarding M and N (Children: Local authority gathering, preserving and disclosing evidence) [2018] EWFC 40 (1 June 2018)). (See Section 9, Good Local Authority Practice During Proceedings). |
| 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. These changes relate to the status of 'previously Looked After Children'. A previously Looked After Child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because they are the subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales. Previously Looked After Children are entitled to support from their school through the Designated Teacher (see Section 2.5, Children Who Move into Permanency). |
| Permanence Planning Guidance | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance. These changes relate to the status of 'previously looked after children'. A previously Looked After Child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because they are the subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales. Children subject to an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order are entitled to support from their school, through the designated teacher. |
| Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | This chapter was updated in relation to placing young people in custody, see Section 2.3, How to Request a Transfer or Placement Review. |
| Education of Children Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect amendments made by the Children and Social Work Act 2017. These changes relate to the status of 'previously looked after children' i.e. a previously looked-after child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because s/he is the subject of an adoption, special guardianship or child arrangements order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales. The chapter includes a new Section 15, Mental Health and a new Section 8, Safeguarding the Looked After Child at School. A link has been added to the National Curriculum Assessments at Key Stage 2. In addition the chapter reflects the statutory guidance Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) 2018, as it relates to Looked After Children and guidance regarding Data protection and safeguarding as set out in Data protection: a toolkit for schools (Open Beta: Version1.0) (August 2018). |
| Children Looked After and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services | This chapter has been updated in relation to placing young people in custody, see Section 7.7, How to Request a Transfer or Placement Review. |
| Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Children Looked After and Young People in Custody | This chapter has been updated in relation to placing young people in custody, see Section 3.8, How to Request a Transfer or Placement Review. |
| Adoption Support | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance which require schools, through the Designated Teacher for Looked After Children, to offer support to previously looked after children. A previously looked-after child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales). |
| Adoption Reviews | Section 5, The Conduct of Adoption Reviews (bullet 1.f) has been amended to reflect the status of adopted children as being 'previously looked after' when considering their educational needs. A link to DfE guidance on Promoting the Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After children has also been added. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been 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 A previously Looked After Child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because they are the subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales. |
| 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 which require schools, through the designated teacher to provide support to previously Looked After Children. A previously Looked After Child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because they are the subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales. |
| Recording Policy and Guidelines | This chapter has been amended to reflect HHJ Greensmith's comments regarding M and N (Children: Local authority gathering, preserving and disclosing evidence) [2018] EWFC 40 (1 June 2018). |
| List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers | Contact details have been updated. |
December 2018
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles | A new section has been added on Corporate Parenting in response to the DfE Applying Corporate Parenting Principles to Looked-after Children and Care Leavers – Statutory Guidance (Feb 2018). It includes the seven corporate parenting principles set out in the guidance. |
| Assessments | Section 4, Communication has been updated to include reference to parents with learning disabilities. |
| Family and Friends Care | This chapter has been updated. |
| 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. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated to provide some emphasis on parents who lack capacity and added links to the President of the Family Division, Family Proceedings: Parents with a Learning Disability note, and a relevant link to working with parents who have a learning disability, (see Section 2, Pre-Proceedings) and Practice Direction 3aa - Vulnerable Persons: Participation in Proceedings and Giving Evidence) see case management in Section 4, Documentation). In Related Guidance a link was added to Research in Practice supporting information and guidance on the Social Work Evidence template (SWET). |
| 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. |
| Permanence Planning Guidance | This chapter has been updated. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | This chapter has been updated to fully reflect the updated guidance 'Secure children's homes: how to place a child aged under 13 (July 2018)'. (See Section 6, Placements of Children under the age of 13 Years.) |
| 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. |
| Social Worker Visits to Children Looked After | 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. |
| 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. The court noted the IROs' recognition and action over a number of reviews but acknowledged that a more robust response had been needed. |
| Adoption and Permanence Panel | This guidance has been reviewed and updated in December 2018 following the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Inter Country Adoption | Section 8, Home Study has been updated to include a link to GOV.UK Benefits. |
| Adoption Case Records | Section 3, Security, Retention and Sharing of Records has been updated in line with Adoption and Care Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018, which provides that an adoption agency may disclose an adoption case record to another adoption agency for purposes related to either agency's functions as an adoption agency. Further information was added in relation to adoption records where an Adoption Order is not made. |
| Life Story Books Guidance | This chapter has been reviewed. |
| 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)' was added into the Relevant National Guidance section of this chapter. |
| Recording Policy and Guidelines | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Access to Records / Subject Access Requests | This chapter has been updated. |
| Confidentiality Policy | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (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 Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need) | This chapter has been amended. From 29 June 2018, local authorities in England must notify the national Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel within 5 working days of becoming aware of a serious incident. |
June 2018
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Child in Need Plans and Reviews | This chapter has been updated by adding a new Section 4, Children in Need Moving to Another Authority - Principles. Information and communication is important between the respective local authorities to ensure appropriate services continue for the child and family and, where relevant, any risk of harm is recognised and identified with the receiving local authority. It should be noted that the responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child lies with the local authority where the child is to be found. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | 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 (amending section 31(3B) Children Act 1989) which a court is required to consider when deciding whether to make a Care Order. |
| 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 amends section 31(3B) Children Act 1989) 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 bee updated to reflect the additional 'permanence provisions' of the Care Plan (under s.8 Children and Social Work Act 2017 amends section 31(3B) Children Act 1989) which a court is required to consider when deciding whether to make a Care Order. The term 'Long term Fostering' has been replaced throughout the manual with the term 'Permanent Fostering'. |
| Placements with Parents | This chapter has been updated to reflect that the DBS has no eligibility for a standard or enhanced check for birth parents or other adults living in the household. However, the Local Authority has a requirement under the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England Regulations) 2010 to obtain information about unspent convictions and cautions before placing a child back with parents. |
| Contact with Parents/Adults and Siblings | Section 2, Different Types of Contact has been updated to take account of the use of mobile phone communication with regards to contact. |
| 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 – The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 4: 5.39 and Standard 14 (14.9) Fostering panels and the fostering service's decision-maker. |
| Placement for Adoption | Section 1, Planning for Permanence has been updated to reflect the additional consideration (added by s.9 Children and Social Work Act 2017 amends section 1(4)(f) of the Adoption and Children Act 2002) into the list of considerations that 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. |
| Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters | 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 |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been retitled and completely revised in light of Care of Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Modern Slavery: Guidance for Local Authorities, November 2017. It should be re-read in its entirety. |
| Deprivation of Liberty | This new procedure should be used by practitioners working with children and young people under the age of 18, where a deprivation of liberty may be occurring. It applies to all social care practitioners carrying out any social care function with children who are receiving care or treatment in any setting. |
| Mental Capacity Act | This direct link is a guide to the statutory principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and how to apply them in practice. |
December 2017
| 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. |
| Assessments | Links to WSCB Pre-birth Assessments and the WSCB Neglect Strategy were added to this chapter. |
| Family and Friends Care | A link to the chapter on Applications for Special Guardianship has been added to this chapter. |
| Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children | A link to Securing British Citizenship for Looked After Children (NRPF Network) has been added to this chapter. |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | A link to Securing British Citizenship for Looked After Children (NRPF Network) has been added to this chapter. |
| Change of Name of a Child Looked After | This chapter has been entirely revised and should be re-read in full. |
| Social Worker Visits to Children Looked After | Section 1, Normal Frequency, and Section 5, Recording, have been revised to more accurately reflect Wandsworth expectations. |
| Looked After Reviews | This chapter has been amended to fully reflect the Volume 2: care planning, placement and case review guidance and regulation with respect to the circumstances as to when a Looked After Review should be brought forward. The list is not exhaustive. A new Related Guidance Section has also been added. |
| 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 ([2017] EWHC 1041 (Admin)). |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be read in full. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Using Social Media for Investigations in Children's Social Care (Policy, Protocols and Practice Guidance) |
A link to this Wandsworth material has been added to this online manual. |
