Using this Manual

Welcome to the Wandsworth Procedures for Children in Need of Help and Protection, Children Looked After and Care Leavers.

This quick guide explains how the manual works.

1. About this Manual

This manual replaces all previous published material. This guide should be read before making use of the body of the new manual.

For further details, please contact:

These procedures use the word 'must' where the provision is a legal requirement. The word 'should' is used where the provision should be complied with but is not a legal requirement, such as where it is taken from non-statutory government guidance or accepted good practice.

2. Amendments

This manual is updated on a regular basis and a summary of the changes can be accessed via the 'Amendments' button on the Home page. The next update of this manual is scheduled for publication in December 2024.

If you would like to suggest a change to the procedures manual please discuss your suggestion with your line manager in the first instance.

Click here to view details of updates made to this manual.

3. Resources

This manual contains a Resources section which can be accessed via the navigation bar or button on the procedures home page. This section is populated and maintained locally. The content tells you how to do something at an operational level in Wandsworth based on the legislation, statutory guidance and higher level procedure in the National Procedures section of the manual. If there are local resources that you think should be added talk in the first instance to your manager.

4. Glossary and National Contacts

The manual is accessed by readers who may find terms that they are not familiar with. Therefore, a glossary of definitions is available under the resource tab.

There is also a National Contacts resource populated with details of key national agencies and organisations likely to be relevant to procedures user.

5. Regulatory Compliance

Every effort has been taken to ensure regulatory compliance. If you discover any errors or omissions, please alert your manager.

6. Register for Updates

We recommend that you register with us to automatically receive notification when this manual is updated, and to receive a monthly newsletter containing articles which may be of interest. Click on the 'Register for Updates' button on the home screen, to complete and send your details to us.

We will manage your data respectfully and in accordance with your preferences and we will never share your data with other organisations for marketing or other purposes.

The content of this website can be accessed, printed and downloaded in an unaltered form, on a temporary basis, for personal study or reference purposes. Content printed or downloaded may not be sold, licensed, transferred, copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner or in or on any media to any person without the prior written consent of tri.x and Wandsworth Council.

8. Accessibility

This website aims to achieve Double-A conformance to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines in accordance with government guidelines. In order to change font size or manual colour use the highlighted 'Accessibility' button at the top right hand corner of any page.

9. Printing and Retaining Copies

The Manual is intended to be viewed on line to ensure only the most up-to-date version of procedures are being used. It will be updated regularly so, in the unlikely event there is a requirement for hard copies they should be destroyed after 72 hours.

10. Browser Recommendations

It is recommended that this manual is viewed with the latest browsers, with Java Script and cookies enabled for maximum compatibility and functionality.

Recommended browsers are:

11. Mobile/Tablet Compatibility

This manual has been tested on a variety of mobile devices to ensure that it displays correctly. If you are using an older mobile device it is possible that the manual will not display correctly.

If you would like the text to be larger, resize the text under the accessibility options, alternatively if you would also like the buttons and the rest of the layout to be enlarged you can use the zoom function within your browser.

The majority of devices have the functionality to allow a shortcut to be downloaded to the homescreen by loading the site using the 'url' and using the upload function and tapping 'Add to Home Screen'. The functionality may vary between devices, please refer to the manufacturer's instructions.

12. Searching Procedures

Click on the search button the right of the screen:

  • Search Procedures;
  • Search Local Resources.

Search Procedures will enable you to search the main content of the Procedures Manual.
Search Local Resources will enable you to search the local Resources.

To search for an exact phrase, put the phrase inside double quotes, for example: "significant harm".

Use an asterisk to represent part of a word; for example, a search for: adopt* will find 'adopt', 'adoption', 'adoptive' etc.

You can enter multiple words and phrases, and you can search for pages containing 'any' or 'all' of the search terms by selecting the appropriate radio button. If you still can't find what you are looking for, ask a manager for advice.