Amendments |
July 2022
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff | This chapter has been given a general refresh. |
Private Fostering | This policy has been updated throughout and should be reread. There are also updates to a number of forms in the Private Fostering section in the Documents Library. |
Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | This chapter has been updated to reflect recent case-law. |
Child Protection Conference | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Participation of Children and Young People, Parents and Carers in the Child Protection Process | This chapter has been refreshed. A new Section 8, Presenting the Lived Experience of the Child to Conference has been added to this chapter. |
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. |
Decision to Look After | This chapter has been updated. |
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 a link to NYAS, My Things Matter Report. (See Section 5, Administration / Process Issues). |
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). |
Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | The chapter has been refreshed and should be read. Additional Information has been added to the Appendices: Looked After Children and Youth Justice. |
Looked After Reviews | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read. Information was also added on Post 18 Reviews in Section 1, The Purpose of Looked After Reviews and in Section 4.3, Post 18 Reviews. In Section 4, Convening Looked After Reviews information was added on a strength-based approach to Looked After Reviews. In section 5 information was added on Good Practice Guidance for our Looked After Meetings |
The Independent Chair’s Service Concerns Resolution Process | This chapter has been rewritten and needs to be reread. |
Education of Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect Keeping Children Safe in Education (2021). 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. |
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. (See Scope Box.) |
Supervision of Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read. The Supervision Agenda for each meeting should follow the NCC Supervising Social Worker Formal Supervision with Foster Carers Template. |
Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers | The chapter has been updated throughout and should be reread. |
Bedroom Sharing in Fostering Households | This chapter has been updated and should be reread. |
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. |
Newly Approved Foster Carers - Post Approval Transfer | This policy covers transfer tasks from the fostering recruitment and assessment team to the locality fostering team once a foster carer(s) has/have been approved at panel. |
Pet Policy and Guidance for Fostering Households | This PDF has been added. |
Undertaking Social Media and Internet Checks within Fostering Assessments and Reviews | This PDF has been added. |
Training and Development of Foster Carers | This chapter has been added. |
Removed Chapters | |
The following chapters have been removed as we now have a separate Children’s Home Manual:
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Next Update: January 2023 |
Archive
January 2022
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Lone Working | This chapter has been updated with revised links in Section 5, Sources of Legislation and Guidance. |
Complaints and Representations | Information contained in this procedure has been reviewed and refreshed as required. |
Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations by Service Users | Information has been added on recording by employees in a professional capacity, and links added to relevant guidance. |
Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | This chapter has been updated. New Section 2, Ordinary Residence has been added. |
Cross-Border Child Protection Cases Under the 1996 Hague Convention | This chapter has been updated to take account of the UK's exit from the EEA. |
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. |
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 has been updated to reflect revisions contained in the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
Guidance to Requesting a Children's Continuing Care Assessment | This chapter has been rewritten throughout. |
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 Related Guidance). |
Short Breaks (Away from Home) | Information has been added in to Section 4, 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. |
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. |
Placements 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. |
Provision for Mothers and Babies in Order To Assess Parenting Capacity and/or Provide Accommodation | In Section 4, Authorising and Financing Other Arrangements for a Mother and Baby a note was added that this type of placement requires Group Manager approval. |
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. |
Family and Friends Policy and Guidance | This chapter has been revised. In Section 5, Arrangements Made where there has been Involvement of the Local Authority information has been added on the School Admission Code. which provides that children being raised by family and friends carers under a Special Guardianship Order or Child Arrangements Order, who struggle to get a school place during the year, will be supported in finding one. |
Secure Accommodation – Application, Admission & Reviews | Section 4, Procedure for an Initial Secure Placement has been rewritten and needs to be reread. |
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. |
Placements with Parents | This chapter has been updated. A note has been added to Section 3, Assessment of Checks before Placement to add information on placements in 'other arrangements. |
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. |
Education of Looked After Children | This chapter has been significantly amended in to reflect the 'Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted, June 2021)'; updated 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' (see Scope Box) and Sexual Harassment in Education – Briefing (House Of Parliament Library, June 2021). (See Section 8.2, Protecting looked after children from sexual harassment and peer on peer 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. |
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Operational Guidance | This chapter has been updated. |
Staying Put | This chapter has been updated in Section 6, Funding information has been added on salaried foster carers. |
Investigating Concerns and Allegations Against Foster Carers Including Historical Issues | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Placing Relinquished Babies for Adoption | This chapter was updated to reflect case-law setting out lessons for the future in non-notification cases. |
Special Guardianship | This chapter has been revised. Information on the School Admission Code has been added in Section 8, Special Guardianship Support Services. |
Nottinghamshire’s Youth Justice Service Policies, Procedure and Guidance | A number of policies have been updated and a new policy Youth Justice and Police Liaison has also been added. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Placements in Other Arrangements | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Removed Chapters | |
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July 2021
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Lone Working | This chapter has been updated with revised links in Section 5, Sources of Legislation and Guidance. |
Drug Testing in Children's Social Care (Oral Fluid Sampling) | This chapter has been updated. |
Non Recent Cases of Abuse by Adults who are or have Worked or Volunteered with Children | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
Managing Allegations / Concerns in Relation to Adults who work with Children | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
Capacity and Consent | This chapter has been updated to add information on a High Court case in relation to consent in the context of the use of medication to suppress puberty. |
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been amended. 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. |
Secure Accommodation – Application, Admission & Reviews | Ssection 4, Procedure for an Initial Secure Placement has been rewritten and needs to be reread. |
Education of Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated in to reflect changes from the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
Protecting Children from the Harmful Effects of Second-hand Smoke (Prospective Adopters) | The leaflets and guidance have been updated and should be reread. |
Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been updated with 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. Additional content has therefore been added in a new Section 8, Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leaver as well as Section 7, Reviews of Pathway Plans and Section 13, Where Care Leavers Live or Move to a Different Local Authority Area. |
Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children 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). |
Assessments and Approvals of Foster Carers | A revised link has been added to Prepare for a review panel: adopters and foster carers. |
Staying Put | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be reread. |
Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers | A revised link has been made to Prepare for a review panel: adopters and foster carers. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Homeless 16/17 Year Olds | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Removed Chapters | |
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January 2021
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Complaints and Representations | Information contained in this procedure has been reviewed and refreshed as required. |
Children's Disability Service - Threshold Criteria for Children's Social Care | Section 2, The Children's Disability Service (CDS) Social Work Team has been updated and sets out the work of the team and criteria for their involvement. |
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. |
Integrated Children’s Disability Service Occupational Therapy (ICDS-OT) - Policy for Receiving Referrals and Undertaking Assessment | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
Integrated Children’s Disability Service Occupational Therapy - Legal Framework | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
Integrated Children’s Disability Service Occupational Therapy Guidance for Recommending Minor and Major Adaptations | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
Integrated Children’s Disability Service Occupational Therapy Guidance for the Loan of Equipment | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
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. |
Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters | A link has been added to Prepare for a Review Panel: Adopters and Foster Carers in Section 12, Representations / Independent Review Procedure. The DfE has withdrawn the Attending an IRM Panel: information sheets. |
Nottinghamshire’s Youth Justice Service Policies, Procedure and Guidance | A number of policies have been updated. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Family Service Operating Procedures | These have been updated throughout |
Mosaic Record Keeping | This PDF 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. |
Integrated Childrens Disability Service Specialist Support Team | Section 2, The Children's Disability Service (CDS) Social Work Team has been updated with details of the work of the team and criteria for their involvement. |
July 2020
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Transfer Policy | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
Child and Family Assessment | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read. |
Child in Need Plans and Reviews (including Detention under the Mental Health Act (1983)) | In Section 4, Reviews of Child in Need Plans the timescales for the review meetings are clarified and in Section 7, Case Closure / Step-Down the timescale for case closure. |
Protocol for Step Down / Step Up of Cases Between CDS Social Work Team and the Short Break Assessment and Review Team | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
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. |
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children | A link to the Digital Referral System: Report Modern Slavery has been added. |
Notifications of Significant Events | This chapter has been reviewed and updated and should be re-read. |
Nottinghamshire’s Youth Justice Service Policies, Procedure and Guidance | A number of policies have been updated. The following new policies have also been added: Case Management and Supervision and Practice Guide to Integrated Offender Management. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Child Criminal Exploitation | This chapter has been added to the procedures manual. |
Removed Chapters | |
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January 2020
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Strengths-Based Practice Framework | An updated Framework has been added to the manual. |
Quality Management Framework | An updated Framework has been added to the manual. |
Initial Referrals | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read. |
Guidance for Staff: Reporting Serious Incidents and/or Child Deaths | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read. |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated to reference and note the Family Court Justice Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship, Courts and Tribunals Judiciary (May 2019). (See Section 1, Introduction). |
Disability Living Allowance - Fostered Children and Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read. |
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. |
Placements in Foster Care | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read. |
Placements with a Relative or Friend (Connected Persons) | This chapter has been completely rewritten and should be re-read. |
Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children | This chapter has been amended to include a link to the Leaving Care and Transition Procedure in relation to Personal Adviser visits to ‘Relevant’ or ‘Former Relevant’ young people. |
Education of Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read. |
Persons Disqualified from Fostering | This chapter has been updated in Section 3, Approved Foster Carers with the process to be followed after the panel's recommendation, that the person is not suitable to act/continue as a foster carer. |
Assessments and Approvals of Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
Guidance for Foster Carers on Personal Safety and Incident Reporting | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
Foster Carer Case Files | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
Supervision of Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
Foster Carer Recording Policy | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
Safe Caring | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read. Further amendments will be required when Nottinghamshire County Council agree on an alternative to the MAPA model of intervention. |
Religious Identity and Delegated Authority | Information has been added on the duty of the local authority under the Children Act 1989 to consider the wishes and feelings of any child in its care in decisions made about that child. This includes children under the age of 16 years. Consequently should the wishes and feelings of a child be contrary to those of those with parental responsibility with regard to the child’s engagement with religious practices, then these must be duly considered, taking into account the age and level of understanding of the child. |
Transfer of Foster Carers Policy | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
Monthly Inspection Visits | This chapter has been re-written and should be re-read. |
Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters | A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 12, Representations / Independent Review Procedure. |
Placement Support and Disruption Meetings (Adoption) | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Access to Birth Information (Post Commencement Adoptions Orders) | A link has been added to Attending and IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 3, Access to Adoption Case Records. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Drug Testing in Children's Social Care (Oral Fluid Sampling) | This resource has been added to the manual. |
Placement Support and Disruption Meetings (Fostering) | This chapter details the procedures to be followed for Placement Support Meetings and Disruption Meetings for foster care placements and Nottinghamshire children placed for adoption or Nottinghamshire approved adopters, where disruption occurs prior to the Adoption Order. |
Transitional Personal Advisor (TPA) Service - Policy and Practice Guidance | This guidance has been added to the manual. |
21Plus Service Extended Personal Advisor Support for Care Leavers Aged 21 – 24 years - Policy and Practice Guidance | This guidance has been added to the manual. |
Removed Chapters | |
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November 2019
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Children and Young People who Sexually Harm | This chapter has been updated and replaces the previous guidance issued in July 2015. This guidance should be re-read throughout. |
July 2019
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Children's Disability Service - Threshold Criteria for Children's Social Care | Section 2, The Children's Disability Service (CDS) Social Work Team has been updated and sets out the work of the team and criteria for their involvement. |
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 Dog-owning Families (and Prospective Adopters) | This chapter has been refreshed and should be re-read. |
Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | This chapter has been updated in relation to placing young people in custody with a new Section 2.3, How to Request a Transfer or Placement Review. |
Leaving Care and Transition | Amendments have been made in:
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Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody | This chapter has been updated in relation to placing young people in custody with a new Section 3.8, How to Request a Transfer or Placement Review. |
Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters | This chapter has been refreshed and should be re-read. |
Adoption Panel | This chapter has been refreshed and should be re-read. |
Placement Support and Disruption Meetings (Adoption) | This chapter has been revised and now covers Placement Support and Disruption Meetings for Adoption. |
Nottinghamshire’s Youth Justice Service Policies, Procedure and Guidance | All of the guidance in this chapter has been updated. |
Removed Chapters | |
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January 2019
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Confidentiality Policy | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
Quality Management Framework | This chapter has been updated. |
Family Service Operating Procedures | This chapter has been updated. |
Family Group Conference | This chapter has been revised and should be re-read. |
Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations by Service Users | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
Guidance for Staff: Reporting Serious Incidents and/or Child Deaths | 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. |
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 has been added to Research in Practice supporting information and guidance on the Social Work Evidence template (SWET). |
Protocol for Step Down / Step Up of Cases Between CDS Social Work Team and the Short Break Assessment and Review Team | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
Support for Disabled Parents and Young Carers - Protocol Between Children’s and Adults Social Care | Section 8, Case Examples has been removed. |
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children | This chapter has been updated throughout to reflect the arrangements set out in Operation Innerste (also referred to as the Hertfordshire Model). The flowchart in Appendix B: Operation Innerste Flowchart has also been updated to reflect these new arrangements. The chapter should be re-read. |
No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) | This policy has been rewritten and should be re-read. |
Secure Accommodation – Application, Admission & Reviews | 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)’. Appendix A - Initial Secure Accommodation Panel Agenda, Appendix B - Secure Accommodation Review Agenda, Appendix D - Referral for a Section 25 Children Act 1989 Secure Childrens Home Placement have been updated and are available in this chapter. |
Placement Support and Disruption Meetings (Fostering and Adoption) | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. A new Section 5, Disruption Meetings in Pre-Order Adoption Placements has been added. |
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. |
Holidays and School Trips Outside the UK | A new section has been added as Section 5, Holidays where children may be at risk. |
Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been updated. |
Working with and Supporting Birth Families | In Section 10, Notifications After Adoption Panel the following information has been added. Birth parents will be written to by the permanence team manager when adopters have been identified an notified of this and that a final contact visit is to be arranged. Birth parents will be written to by the permanence team manager to notify them if a decision has been made that adoption is no longer the permanence plan. They will be informed that the Local Authority will be returning the matter to court. |
Placing Relinquished Babies for Adoption | In Section 7, Consent to Adoption additional information has been added on Consent and Competency after a recent Case The High Court in Re S (Child as parent: Adoption: Consent) [2017] EWHC 2729 (Fam). |
Non Agency Adoption | In Section 3, Medical Information the following details have been amended. Upon receipt, the completed medical forms should be passed by the social worker to the Medical Adviser for comment. |
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 has been added in relation to adoption records where an Adoption Order is not made. |
Intermediary Services | In Section 6.1, No Obligation to Proceed if not Appropriate the following has been added. Where there are safeguarding concerns, Notts CC will consider convening an Intermediary Service Panel where the social worker will submit a report (analysing the risks and issues, reviewing possible mitigating actions and alternatives) to be considered by the Team Manager and in more complex cases, the Service Manager who will sign off the decision whether to offer IS or not. This decision will be conveyed to the Applicant and the report uploaded to Mosaic and in Section 7.5, Confidentiality to an approved agency providing tracing. (The information from the tracing report cannot be shared directly with the applicant but can be used by the Intermediary Agency for tracing purposes). |
Special Guardianship | This chapter has been and updated throughout and should be re-read |
Special Guardianship - Financial Support | In Paragraph 4.8 the following has been added. Mosaic step. An Initial House hold Income Assessment will then be done by the Family Service workers and sent to payments team to calculate whether the applicant is eligible for a means tested payment. They will inform the social worker and Service Manager for SGO. The Social Worker can then send an authorisation to the Service Manager for payments to be made once the SGO has been made. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Principles and Practice for the Safeguarding and Transfer of Children & Young People from Police Custody to Local Authority Accommodation & Suitable Accommodation where Bail is Denied | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Removed Chapters | |
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July 2018
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Transfer Policy | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
Child in Need Plans and Reviews (including Detention under the Mental Health Act (1983)) | Section 3, Children Detained under the Mental Health Legislation (MHA) has been updated. |
Managing Allegations / Concerns in Relation to Adults who work with Children | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
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. |
Deprivation of Liberty | This chapter has been updated. |
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children | Section 4, Age Assessments has been updated with regards to in advance of undertaking an age assessment for an unaccompanied asylum seeking child, local authorities must seek Home Office assistance with verifying the authenticity of identity documents e.g. travel documents or a birth certificate. A link to the relevant contact details for local authorities has been added. The statutory guidance has been updated to link to the DfE 2017 Care of unaccompanied migrant children and child victims of modern slavery – statutory guidance for local authorities. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 is referenced in relation to age assessments. |
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. |
Child Trust Funds and Junior ISA's for Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect the increase in the annual limit on contributions in Section 1.4, Can Additional Payments be Made? |
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. (See Section 3, Assessment and Checks before Placement). |
Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children | 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. |
Health Care Assessments and Plans | New Section 3.4, Consent to Health Care Assessments has been added. |
Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been extensively updated to add clarification in relation to Qualifying Young People. See Definitions. |
Assessments 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. |
Investigating Concerns and Allegations Against Foster Carers Including Historical Issues | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
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. It has also 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)). (See new Section 4.2, Procedural Fairness). |
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. |
Inter Country Adoption | Section 8, Home Study has been updated to include a link to GOV.UK Benefits. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Mental Capacity Practice Resource | This resource will support practitioners working in social care to understand the Act and practice confidently when supporting young people to make decisions, assessing mental capacity and applying the Best Interests principle. |
Support to Schools - Arrangements for Accessing Top-up Funding for Pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Nottinghamshire Mainstream Schools 2017-18 | This booklet explains the arrangements regarding access to top-up funding for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in mainstream schools. These arrangements reflect national school funding reforms, which became effective from April 2013. The descriptors of need which are used to underpin funding decisions have been revised in line with the SEND Code of Practice issued in 2014. |
Family Arrangements Policy | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Reducing Offending Behaviour | The protocol aims to strike a balance between the rights and needs of the children and young people who are looked after, the victim, the rights of carers and the provider’s decisions to instigate Police action. It is the purpose of this protocol to provide guidance on the options available and to emphasise the importance of flexibility, in deciding upon the most suitable option for dealing with some of our most vulnerable children and young people. |
Youth Homelessness Prevention Plan 2016 | There are three key areas this plan seeks to address, these are:
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Young People's Health Strategy | This Strategy intends to define ‘where we want to get to’ regarding improving the health of young people in Nottinghamshire, as well as detailing some elements of ‘how we are going to get there’. It does not replace existing strategies on reducing teenage pregnancy, child and adolescent mental health or obesity (for example), but it is intended to complement them, and to articulate a clear vision for what we want to achieve when trying to improve the health of young people, and, by extension, the health of the entire population of Nottinghamshire. |
Working with Fathers Strategy | The strategy sets out a framework for working with fathers in Nottinghamshire, and should be read in conjunction with the overall Parenting Support Strategy. |
January 2018
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation | Section 1, Introduction has been updated to take account of the change of definition in Child Sexual Exploitation: Definition and Guide for Practitioners (DfE February 2017). |
Managing Allegations / Concerns in Relation to Adults who work with Children | Paragraph 6.2 clarified for all referrals the point of contact will be the LADO Allegations Officer. |
No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) | A link has been added to Securing British Citizenship for Looked After Children (NRPF). The NRPF have highlighted important information from the Project for the Registration of Children as British Citizens, with regard to the responsibilities that local authorities have to ensure that children in their care have effective access to specialist legal advice so their citizenship or any entitlement to citizenship is secured. |
Decision to Look After and Care Planning | This chapter has been amended to reflect the outcome of an Appeal Court hearing (2017) with respect to ‘consent’. The court recognised that the term ‘consent’ itself was not used in Section 20. However, it described previous court observations as ‘good practice guidance’, emphasising its judgment should not alter the content or effect of these. (See Section 1.3.1, Obtaining Parental Consent). |
Supervision of Foster Carers | Section 3, Frequency of Supervision has been updated to reflect that in some circumstances it may be agreed between the foster carers, Supervising Social Worker and Team Manager that supervision meetings are held less frequently. This may be because the carer provides support care only or because for example the placement is very stable and there have been no concerns for many years. The decision is at the discretion of the Team Manager. Any agreed variation from monthly supervision MUST be clearly recorded by the authorising Team Manager in case notes and highlighted in the Annual Review. |
Investigating Concerns and Allegations Against Foster Carers Including Historical Issues | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
Statement of Primary Responsibilities for Staff | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
Placement for Adoption | This chapter has been updated; a link has been added to Contact After Adoption (Research in Practice). The link contains practical resources which bring together knowledge from research and practice to support professionals to be reflective and explore their own assumptions, attitudes and values when developing contact plans. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Protocol between the Children’s Social Care (CSC) and Adult Social Care, Health and Public Protection (ASCHPP) where both are involved in case management | This protocol exists to ensure that all professional workers understand the critical importance of effective communication and that their respective roles and responsibilities are clear. This is particularly important where a case involves care proceedings. |
Criminal Injuries Compensation | This procedure outlines the circumstances when it may be possible to make a claim for compensation on behalf of a looked after child subject to Section 31 Children Act 1989 for whom Children’s Services has the parental responsibility and the process which must be followed in order to proceed with making a claim. |
Residential Placement Planning | This document draws together the information, advice and guidance in respect of placement planning for children and young people being accommodated in one of the three Nottinghamshire residential homes. |
Special Guardianship Court Report | This template has been added. |
Special Guardianship Support Plan | This template has been added. |
July 2017
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Transporting Children and Young People Safely | Text in Section 3, Child Care Seats and Restraints has been replaced with a link to GOV.UK, Child car seats: the law. |
Managing Allegations / Concerns in Relation to Adults who work with Children | This chapter has been updated including in Section 4, Geographical Jurisdiction- in any cross boundary situation there needs to be dialogue between LADOs of respective authorities. In Section 7.13, Strategy Meeting (Allegations Management) Minutes and Outcome - during the whole process timescales should be set so cases are completed in a timely way taking into consideration the child and adult of concern. Any delays that may arise and the reasons needs to be recorded within the Strategy Meeting minutes. |
Children's Disability Service - Threshold Criteria for Children's Social Care | Section 2, The Children's Disability Service (CDS) Social Work Team has been updated to include the child’s disability must be the presenting concern for the case to transfer to CDS. Cases where one or more children have a disability but the presenting concerns are not related to these disabilities then CDS will provide consultancy and advice to the social worker involved as appropriate. |
Joint Children's and Young People's Continuing Care Panel | An updated version has been added. |
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a court judgement on Ordinary Residence that was included in the updated Care and Support Statutory Guidance (DHSC, December 2016). In Related Guidance, a link has been added to guidance on SEND: 19 to 25 year olds' entitlement to EHC plans (DfE, February 2017). Section 12, Funding Issues – Ordinary Residence has also been added. |
Short Breaks (away from home) | A link has been added to Friendship For All (The Children’s Society) in the Relevant Legislation, Guidance and Information section. |
Child Trust Funds and Junior ISA's for Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect the increase in the annual limit on contributions to Child Trust Funds/Junior ISAs for Looked After Children (to £4128). |
Placements with a Relative or Friend (Connected Persons) | A link has been added in the Relevant Legislation and Guidance Section to Family Rights Group - Initial Family and Friends Care Assessment: A Good Practice Guide. This guide sets out best practice as to how viability assessments should be conducted. Section 5, Prior to Placement Under Regulation 24 has been updated to reflect that proposed carers assessment should also consider that the accommodation and home environment is suitable including where relevant an initial risk assessment of any pets, together with the environment in which the pet is kept. |
Family and Friends Policy and Guidance | A link has been added in the Relevant Guidance Section to Family Rights Group - Initial Family and Friends Care Assessment: A Good Practice Guide. This guide sets out best practice as to how viability assessments should be conducted. It lists what factors social workers conducting the assessment need to consider, including when undertaking assessments with family members overseas. It also includes research evidence, a schedule and example template and an information sheet for a family and friends carers. |
Placements with Parents | Section 3, Assessment of Checks before Placement has been updated to reflect that the assessment of the home environment should include, where relevant, the need for a risk assessment of any pets and the environment in which they are kept. |
Advocacy and Independent Visitors | This chapter has been updated to add a link to the Children’s Society ‘Advocacy services for children and young people – a guide for commissioners’. This guide outlines the legislative requirements of local authorities in the provision of advocacy support to children in need and looked after children. |
Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays) | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
Health Care Assessments and Plans | A link has been added to Children’s Attachment: Attachment in Children and Young People who are Adopted from Care, in Care or at High Risk of Going into Care - NICE Guidelines (NG26) in the Relevant Legislation and Guidance section. |
Supervision of Foster Carers | Section 5, Support Provided by the Supervising social worker has been updated to reflect that during the placement they should assess and review any health and safety issues within the fostering household including the addition of any new pets and the environment in which they are kept. |
Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters | Section 5.3 Assessments has been updated to include where the applicants have pets, a risk assessment should be conducted and any associated risks should be taken into account with regard to the pet itself and where the pet is kept. Where necessary, an independent assessment should be undertaken by a vet to establish whether the dog falls within the scope of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. |
Inter Country Adoption | Section 3, Initial Meeting, a reference has been added to the DfE publication Intercountry Adoption and Resident Status Requirements which set out the minimum requirements, however entry clearance requirements vary depending upon the circumstances of each case and prospective adopters will need to obtain their own independent legal advice to establish the requirements that apply to their individual circumstances. In Section 4, Formal Approval, a link has been added to Intercountry adoption: means test form which contains information on how to apply for a fee reduction for people who wish to adopt a child from overseas and who earn £45,000 per year or less. In Section 12, After Approval information has been added on the Intercountry Adoption Forms: checklist for adoption which details the paperwork adoption agencies must include in the intercountry adoption applications they submit to DfE. |
Special Guardianship | The DfE has updated the Special Guardianship Guidance to include details of the Adoption Support Fund as the Fund now covers therapeutic support for children, living in England, who were previously in care immediately before the making of a Special Guardianship Order – Section 9, Assessment for Support Services has been updated accordingly. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Residential Placement Planning | This document draws together the information, advice and guidance in respect of placement planning for children and young people being accommodated in one of the three Nottinghamshire residential homes. |
Deleted Chapters | |
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January 2017
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Whistleblowing Policy (Confidential Reporting) | A link has been added to Whistleblowing to Ofsted about Children’s Social Care Services - Policy and Guidance for Whistleblowers in the Related Information section. |
Blood Borne Viruses - H.I.V, Hepatitis B and C | A link has been added to Practice Guidance: Supporting Young People with HIV Testing and Prevention in the Relevant Legislation and Guidance section. This practice guidance is for professionals who do not provide HIV testing, treatment or advice as part of their day-to-day work. It is primarily intended for those working outside health settings, such as social workers or voluntary sector practitioners. |
Written Records (Including Retention) | Information has been added at Section 3.11, Retention. |
Child and Family Assessment | A new Section 7, Pre-birth ‘Good Practice Steps’, has been added. In Relevant Guidance and Legislation information with regards to the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (ICACU) has been added. |
Child in Need Plans and Reviews (including Detention under the Mental Health Act (1983)) | A new Section 3, Children Detained under the Mental Health Legislation (MHA) has been added. |
Private Fostering | This chapter has been extensively updated and includes additional responsibilities for Team Managers, changes to departmental timescales and the inclusion of Reviews for children in Private fostering arrangements and should be re-read throughout. |
Historical Cases of Abuse | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a judgment following an application to remove a child at birth. The judge highlighted what were thought to be ‘good practice steps’ to issuing care proceedings in respect of the removal of a child at birth. |
Legal Gateway/Planning Meetings | This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a judgment following an application to remove a child at birth. The judge set out what were thought to be ‘basic and good practice steps’ (see Section 2, Considerations). |
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | Links to the National Framework for Children and Young People’s Continuing Care and 0-25 SEND code of practice: a guide for health professionals and Advice for clinical commissioning groups, health professionals and local authorities have been added to the Related Guidance section. |
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) | This chapter has been extensively updated and replaced the previous No Recourse to Public Funds chapter. |
Children and Young People Subject to Dual Status | A new Section 4, Children Detained under the Mental Health Legislation (MHA 1983) has been added. |
Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
Looked After Reviews | Information has been added at Section 8, Independent Reviewing Officer's Responsibilities with regards to where the ‘supporter’ is a legal representative then the IRO should note The Law Society guidance ‘Attendance of solicitors at local authority Children Act Meetings’ and related Code of Conduct (2011). All solicitors attending these meetings should be aware of the local policies and procedures in respect of Children Act Meetings and of their role in terms of ‘Working Together to safeguard Children’. |
Education of Looked After Children | A link has been added to Mental Health Behaviour in Schools Guidance in the Relevant Legislation And Guidance section. |
Consent to Medical Examinations | A link has been added in the Related Guidance section to the British Medical Association Consent Toolkit. |
Flowchart for the Provision of CAMHS Support to Young People Placed in Foster Placements, Residential Care and Pre-Order Adoption Placements Outside Nottinghamshire | This flowchart has been updated. |
Staying Put | This chapter has been updated. A link has been added to Staying Put: What does it mean for you? (Catch 22 National Care Advisory Service) a guide for young people in care or who have left care about staying with their foster carers after the age of 18 in the Relevant Guidance and Information section. |
Safe Caring | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
Substance Misuse | A link has been added to the New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) Resource Pack for Informal Educators and Practitioners (Home Office) in the Relevant Legislation and Guidance section. |
Exit Interviews - Children's Homes | The Relevant Legislation and Guidance section has been updated. |
Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters | This chapter has been updated to include in Section 4, Fostering for Adoption if, at any point during the planning of a Fostering for Adoption placement or if the child is already in such a placement, there is any change to the circumstances of prospective carers, including relatives, a planning meeting with the Fostering for Adoption carers and all professionals involved should take place to consider the new information at the earliest opportunity, so that the carers can make an informed choice about their position. Similarly, this also allows the local authority to consider their position in light of the change in circumstances. |
Special Guardianship | A link has been added to the DfE Special Guardianship Guidance (2016) in the Relevant Legislation and Guidance section. Information has also been added that a person who is, or was at any time within the last 6 months, a local authority foster parent of a child may not apply for leave to apply for an SGO unless (s)he has the consent of the local authority, or (s)he is a relative of the child or the child has lived with him/her for at least one year preceding the application. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations | This chapter deals with recording of meetings/conversations by individual service-users, in their capacity as private individuals. Note that the employees of the local authority, acting in their professional capacity, are subject to different legislative requirements, e.g. under the Data Protection Act 2018. This is a developing area, and legal advice must be sought as necessary. |
Cafcass Plus Scheme - Nottinghamshire | This chapter details the scheme, the target group and the process involved. |
Guidance for Staff: Reporting Serious Incidents and/or Child Deaths | This document provides guidance to staff with regard to the reporting and notification of serious incidents and/or child deaths in Children’s Social Care. |
Guidance for Completing Placement Requests (PR) | The prompts provided within this guide are intended to support effective and efficient completion of the placement request to ensure the best placement match for the child. |
July 2016
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Access to Records/Subject Access Request | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Child and Family Assessment | This chapter has replaced the previous chapters - 'Initial Assessments' and 'Core Assessments'. |
Short Breaks (away from home) | This chapter has been fully updated to bring it in line with the Children and Families Act 2014, DfE, Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0-25 years Statutory Guidance for Organisations who work with Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (2015) and DfE, The Children Act 1989 guidance and regulation - Volume 2: care planning, placement and case review regulations (2015). |
Direct Payments | Section 7, Hospital Stays has been added. |
Decision to Look After and Care Planning | This chapter has been extensively updated with particular regard to Section 20 accommodation and gaining parental consent and should be read throughout. |
Ceasing to Look After a Child | Section 2.3, Circumstances Around Ceasing to Look After a Child has been updated to reflect when the local authority receives a request is for the child to return home immediately, (under Section 20(8)) this must be responded to; any delay in so doing may bring severe criticism, and possible financial penalty, from a court. |
Secure Accommodation – Application, Admission & Reviews | This chapter has been completely updated and should be re-read. |
Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement Providers | Section 1, Introduction has been amended to reflect that the notification must include whether the child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and, if so, details of the Local Authority which maintains the Education, Health and Care Plan. |
Advocacy and Independent Visitors | This chapter has been updated to reflect the revised Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review which was published by the Department for Education in June 2015. Section 1.1, Duties of an Advocate has been added. |
Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody | This chapter has been completely updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Supervision of Foster Carers | Section 5, Support Provided by the Supervising social worker has been updated with a link to Nottinghamshire Fostering Home, (Fronter), a password protected virtual learning environment which hosts the Foster Carer Handbook. |
Safe Caring | A link has been added to 'Child Safety Online: A practical guide for parents and carers whose children are using social media' in the Relevant Legislation, Guidance and Information section. |
Special Guardianship | This chapter has been revised and updated to reflect the enhanced assessment and reporting requirements (for all applications made from 29 February 2016) as set out in the Special Guardianship (Amendment) Regulations 2016. |
Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services | This chapter has been completely updated and should be re-read throughout. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Family Group Conference | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Taking Photographs in a Work Context | This policy has been added to the manual. |
Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Guidance | This guidance has been added to the manual. |
Adaptations (Guidance and Agreements) | These appendices have been added to the manual. |
Removed Chapters | |
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January 2016
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Confidentiality Policy | This chapter has been updated with regards to the Information Sharing: Advice for Practitioners Providing Safeguarding Services to Children, Young People, Parents and Carers (March 2015). |
Quality Management Framework | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read in its entirety. |
Lone Working | This chapter has been updated including the addition of new links in Section 5, Sources of Legislation and Guidance. |
Protocol for Access to Mosaic by Partner Agency Staff | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Initial Referrals | This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Protocol for Step Down / Step Up of Cases Between Social Work Team and Short Breaks Personalisation Team | Section 2, Reviews (Personalisation Service) has been updated to reflect If it is felt that the case is stable the Short Breaks and Personalisation Service Team Manager will be notified of the proposed ‘step down’ and will allocate a Personalisation Officer to attend the CIN Review. |
Guidance for Minute Takers of Child Protection Conferences and Complex Multi-Agency Strategy Meetings | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Transfer Protocol - A Countywide Protocol for the Transfer of Cases between Teams within the Children's Social Care Service | Section 4, General Principles has been updated to include footnote 1. |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | Section 2, Pre-Proceedings has been updated to reflect that Nottinghamshire have introduced a combined child and parenting assessment. |
Legal Gateway/Planning Meetings | This chapter has been updated in particularly Section 3, Who can Convene Legal Gateway/Planning Meetings with regards to timings and documentation required. |
Welfare Reports (Section 7) Supervision Order (Section 37) Family Assistance Orders (Section 16) | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Whistleblowing Policy (Confidential Reporting) | This link has been updated. |
Blood Borne Viruses - H.I.V, Hepatitis B and C | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Child Trust Funds and Junior ISA's for Looked After Children | Section 1.4, Can Additional Payments be Made and Section 2.4, Who can Pay Money into Junior ISAs? has been amended to reflect that the annual limit on contributions to Child Trust Funds/Junior ISA’s for Looked After Children increased to £4080.00. |
The Use of Warnings in Social Care Records (Mosaic) | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout including the addition of Section 2, How to Record a Warning. |
Supervision Orders Procedure | Section 1, Introduction has been updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Private Fostering | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Death or Serious Injury to a Child | This chapter has been updated in line with Working Together. |
Managing Allegations / Concerns in Relation to Adults who work with Children | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Individuals who Present a Risk to Children | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Participation of Children and Young People, Parents and Carers in the Child Protection Process | Section 4, Enabling Children and Young People to Participate has been updated to reflect that the child or young person should have access to the social workers report 24 hours in advance of an Initial Child Protection Conference and 5 working days in advance of a Review Conference. |
Information for General Practitioners/Social Workers Concerning Looked After Children who have a History of Self-Harm | Further links including Nottinghamshire SCP – Information for Children and Young People have been added to the Relevant Legislation And Guidance section. |
Safeguarding Foreign National Children Who Go Missing | Section 2, Children in the Care of the Local Authority has been extensively updated including information being added with regards to the NSCP Children Missing from Home and Care Protocol. |
Children's Disability Service - Threshold Criteria for Children's Social Care | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | Links to Care and Support Statutory Guidance (DHSC, October 2014) and the Young Carer’s (Needs Assessment) Regulations (DoE, March 2015) have been added to the Related Guidance section. A new Section 13, Young Carers and Parental Carers of Disabled Children has been added. |
Short Breaks (away from home) | Section 4, Short Break Settings, has revised links to new Quality Standards for Children’s Homes and Care Quality Commission (CQC). |
Transition Planning for Young People with Disabilities | This chapter has been significantly updated, particularly with regards to the Care Act 2014. |
Children's Disability Service - Provision of Childcare for Working Parents of Children and Young People with Disabilities | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children | Section 4, Age Assessments now includes information/links to the ADCS Task Force/Home Office Good Practice documents. |
Human Rights Assessment | Section 2, Assessment Format has been updated with links to outcome of human rights assessment and notification of human rights assessment. |
Section 20 Accommodation Decisions | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Permanence Planning Guidance | This chapter has been updated to reflect the Statutory Guidance Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. |
Permanence Panel Policy and Practice Guidance | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Placements in Foster Care | This chapter has been updated to reflect the Statutory Guidance Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. A new Section 9, Long-Term Foster Placements has also been added. |
Placements with a Relative or Friend (Connected Persons) | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Family and Friends Policy and Guidance | This chapter has been extensively updated and replaced the former chapter called Family and Friends Policy. |
Placement Support and Disruption Meetings (Fostering and Adoption) | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement Providers | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Child Missing and Recovery Orders | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect the revised visiting requirements in respect of long term foster placements as set out in Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. |
Looked After Reviews | This chapter has been updated to include the requirements of Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. |
Notifications of Significant Events | This chapter has been updated in relation to the Regulation 40 of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015. |
Contact Service | The Protocol for Contact Support Workers When Children are Not Relinquished Following Supervised Contact, Contact Expenses and Payments and Protocol for Reducing Supervised Contact Arrangements have been added. |
Holidays and School Trips in the UK | Section 2.2, School / Organisational Trips of up to 4 days Away has been updated to reflect in long term placements a Delegated Decision Form should be in place to make it explicit when a carer can or cannot makes these decisions. |
Education of Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Health Care Assessments and Plans | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Protecting Children from the Harmful Effects of Second-hand Smoke (Prospective Adopters) | Appendix B: Copy of Leaflet 'Smoking advice for prospective foster carers and adopters' has been updated. |
Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Financial Arrangements for Care Leavers | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Fostering Panel | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Persons Disqualified from Fostering | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Assessments and Approvals of Foster Carers | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Staying Put | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. Additional information has also been added in Section 6, Funding, to reflect 2015 fostering allowance rates. |
Foster Carer Case Files | This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to the Foster Carer's Terms of Approval | This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Supervision of Foster Carers | An updated link has been added to the Transfer of Foster Carers Protocol England (2014) re-issued 2015 in the Relevant Legislation, Guidance and Information section. |
Fostering Support Care | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Foster Carer Recording Policy | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Nottinghamshire Fostering Scheme - Payment For Skills | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters | This chapter has been updated to include the requirements of the Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers: Amendments to the Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations. |
Adoption Panel | Information has been added in Section 2, Adoption Panel Membership, with regards to the Central List must be maintained by an appointed senior social worker with at least 5 years’ relevant post-qualification experience and relevant management experience. |
Prospective Adopters Attending Panel | This chapter has been significantly updated, including the addition of a new Section 12, Information for those Attending Panel. |
Foster to Adopt Guidance | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Independent Birth Family Counselling Service | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Placement for Adoption | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Placing Relinquished Babies for Adoption | Section 2, Responding to an Enquiry has been updated to reflect that it is recommended a pre-birth planning meeting is held prior to the birth of the baby. This will include Permanence Team social worker, safeguarding midwife and birth parents. This meeting will consider any health issues of mother and baby, placement details, contact arrangements after the birth for birth parents and plans for the care of the baby if birth parents are proposing to leave the hospital following baby’s birth. |
Adoption Planning for Sibling Groups | This chapter has been updated with regards to the consideration of siblings and whether they should remain together or apart, as well as the permanence options for the children. |
Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters | This chapter has been updated to include the requirements of Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. A new Section 6, The Use of Connected Persons Placements has been added. |
Child Placements Preparatory Information/Life Appreciation Days | This chapter has been updated, in particular Section 2.5 has been added. |
Placement Planning Meetings and Introduction to Adoptive Parents | Information has been added into Section 2.1.4, The Adoption Placement Plan, a mandatory document and can be accessed in the framework episode ‘intro to order’. |
Adoption Financial Support | Section 3, Eligibility Criteria has been updated to reflect that children under 4 years who have an identified condition which will make significant extra demands on carers and who must be in receipt of Disability Living Allowance. |
Adoption Reviews | This chapter has been updated with regards to the timing of the 'Later in Life Letter' from the social worker being given to the adopters for the child within ten working days of the celebration hearing. Also the case management system (frame work) should also record the Adoption Order and the episode, Adoption Order Obtained – End Adoptive Placement is completed, as well as the episodes for SAA to set up post final order contact arrangement. |
Inter Country Adoption | Section 8, Home Study, has been updated detailing that the allocated adoption social worker will carry out a home study of the applicants, which should be completed within 6 months of the receipt of the application. |
Life Story Work and Preparation for Adoption | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Later Life Letters | In Section 2, Procedure - Child Placed with Nottinghamshire Adopters information has been added with regards to social workers should use the CoramBAAF Good Practice Guide – Writing A Later Life Letter. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Young Carers | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Ceasing to Look After a Child | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
IRO Dispute Resolution Process | This procedure details the process in place to deal with any concerns that the IRO may have regarding the care planning process. |
Family Service Operating Procedures | This procedure has been added to the manual. |
Nottinghamshire’s Youth Justice Service Policies, Procedure and Guidance | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Removed Chapters | |
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July 2015
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Child Protection Conference | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | A link has been added to Practice Direction 25b – The Duties of an Expert, The Expert’s Report and Arrangements for an Expert to Attend Court and the ADCS website information in the Related Guidance section. |
Children and Young People who Sexually Harm | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Anti-Bullying Policy | A link has been added to Advice for Parents and Carers on Cyberbullying in the Related Guidance section. |
Cross-Border Child Protection Cases Under the 1996 Hague Convention | A link has been added to the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit in the Related Guidance and Information section. |
Child in Need Plans and Reviews | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Short Breaks (away from home) | A link has been added to Short Breaks and Personalisation Services – associated Short Breaks flyers in Relevant Legislation, Guidance and Information section. |
Early Support Sitting and Befriending Service | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children | This chapter has been amended in line with Care of Unaccompanied and Trafficked Children: Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities on the Care of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking and Trafficked Children (2014). It should be re-read in its entirety. |
Decision to Look After and Care Planning | Section 1, Decision to Look After a Child has been amended to include In the case of siblings, wherever it is in the best interests of each individual child, they should be placed together. Where they cannot be placed together, they must be supported to understand why they cannot live together, and there should be robust plans for contact between them, so far as this is consistent with their welfare. |
Placements in Foster Care | Section 4, Placement Planning has been updated with regards to Placement Planning Meetings for foster placements and Placement Support Meetings. |
Placements in Residential Care | Section 2, Placement Process has been updated with regards to a placement request and identification and approval of placements. |
Out of Area Placements | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Placements in Secure Accommodation | A link has been added to Appendix 1: Legislation and Practice Guidance to Placements of Children under the Age of 13 - DfE. |
Looked After Reviews | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Protecting Children from the Harmful Effects of Second-hand Smoke (Prospective Adopters) | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Fostering Panel | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Supervision of Foster Carers | A link has been added to the Transfer of Foster Carers Protocol England (2014) in the Relevant Legislation, Guidance and Information section. |
Monthly Inspection Visits | This chapter has been updated with regards to the Children's Homes Regulations and Quality Standards. |
Physical Intervention (Restraint & Disengagement) in Residential Settings | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout in line with the Children’s Homes Quality Standards. |
Contacting the Police in respect of Children in Residential Care | This chapter as updated with regards top the Quality Standards and Regulations for Children’s Homes. |
Substance Misuse | This chapter as updated with regards top the Quality Standards and Regulations for Children’s Homes. |
Adoption Panel | Appendix A2: Acceptance of Appointment, Agreement and Confidentiality Undertaking for Nottinghamshire Central List Panel Members (Adoption/Fostering) has been added. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Mobile Working | This chapter provides links to:
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Working with Foreign Authorities: Child Protection Cases and Care Orders Departmental Advice for Local Authorities, social workers, Service Managers and Children’s Services Lawyers July 2014 | This advice from the Department for Education provides:
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Other Agency Requests for Information from Children’s Social Care Records | This procedure only concerns requests from professionals in other agencies for information to be supplied from Children’s Social Care records. |
Nottinghamshire Short Breaks Statement | A link to the Statement has been added. |
Early Support Homecare Service | The purpose of this document is to set out the procedure that should be followed when receiving referrals for Homecare. Its aim is to ensure that contact and responses given are consistent across the service. |
Children’s Disability Service - Early Support Service provision of Short Breaks to Children and Young People with Disabilities at Early Intervention and Targeted Levels | This chapter details the core offer of community short breaks Flexible Short Breaks Scheme (FSBS) and the enhanced offer of Targeted Short Breaks (TSB) for children and young people with a disability. |
Contact Service | This chapter applies to arrangements for children placed in foster and residential care to have contact with their parents and siblings. |
Transfer of Foster Carers Policy | This policy refers to the movement of registered foster carers between fostering providers where carers are planning on transferring to Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC). |
Foster to Adopt Guidance | This procedure deals with placement of a child with carers who are dually approved, i.e. approved both as prospective adopters and as Local Authority foster carers. |
Removed Chapters | |
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December 2014
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Early Help Plan | The plan brings together work across the Children’s Trust to ensure that all agencies coordinate their activities to provide a coherent and seamless service to children and families. |
Pathway to Provision - Multi-Agency Thresholds Guidance | An updated link has been added to this guidance. |
Child Protection Conference | Section 18.2, Forms has been added. |
Transfer Protocol - A Countywide Protocol for the Transfer of Cases between Teams within the Children's Social Care Service | Section 7.9, Transfers to the Court Team and Permanence Team and co working arrangements for Children's Disability Service has been added. |
Legal Gateway/Planning Meetings | This chapter has been updated throughout in line with revised guidance Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities on Court Orders and Pre-Proceedings (2014). |
Domestic Violence and Abuse | An updated link has been added to the Interagency Safeguarding Children Procedures of the Nottinghamshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP) and the Nottingham City Safeguarding Children Partnership (NCSCP). |
Child Sexual Exploitation | An updated link has been added to the Interagency Safeguarding Children Procedures of the Nottinghamshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP) and the Nottingham City Safeguarding Children Partnership (NCSCP). |
Trafficked Children | An updated link has been added to the Interagency Safeguarding Children Procedures of the Nottinghamshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP) and the Nottingham City Safeguarding Children Partnership (NCSCP). |
Child Trust Funds and Junior ISA's for Looked After Children | Section 1.4, Can Additional Payments be Made and Section 2.4, Who can Pay Money into Junior ISAs? has been amended to reflect that the annual limit on contributions to Child Trust Funds/Junior ISA’s for Looked After Children increased to £4000.00. |
Children in Need Plans and Reviews | Reviews of Child in Need Plans has been amended with regards to Supervision Order Reviews which should match the processes in place for LAC and Child Protection Plans, with a consistent frequency. |
Supervision Orders Procedure | Section 1, Introduction has been updated to include the CIN plan will undergo an Initial Review within 28 days and then be reviewed no later than 4 months after the order is made, with a further review no later than 9 months after the order is made. |
Direct Payments | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read in its entirety. |
No Recourse to Public Funds | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read in its entirety. |
Permanence Planning Guidance | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Families Act 2014, and the overall aim of speeding up the adoption process. The chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. The main changes are in relation to adoption, specifically Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters. |
Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read in its entirety. |
Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read in its entirety. |
CPC Procedure for Raising Urgent Practice Issues | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Education of Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Operational Guidance | This chapter has been updated with links to appropriate forms. |
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service - Emotional Health and Wellbeing Team Operating Model | This chapter has been updated to reflect the process followed if a child become looked after and requires additional support. |
Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Financial Arrangements for Care Leavers | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Staying Put | Section 6, Funding has been updated with regard to Education Extension Funding. |
Outcomes Framework for Residential Placements - Guidance for Completion | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Monthly Inspection Visits - Regulation 33 Visits | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children’s Homes and Looked after Children (Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations 2013. |
Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters | Section 1, Recruitment and Responding to Initial Enquiries has been updated with regards to the Local Authority’s duty to provide information on Adoption Support Services to anyone contacting the authority to request information about adopting a child. |
Placement for Adoption | This chapter has been updated with regards to the Adoption changes under Children and Families Act 2014 and should be re-read throughout. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Name | Details |
Guidance for the Early Help Unit’s Operating Model | This chapter deals with the ambitions, key functions and operating model of the Early Help Unit. |
Protocol for Step Down / Step Up of Cases Between Social Work Team and Short Breaks Personalisation Team | This chapter deals with all cases with a legal status of S17 (6) which do not require social work intervention and the step down process to the Personalisation Service. |
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | As a result of an overhaul of the Family Justice System throughout 2014, Public Law Outline and Court Proceedings chapters have been amalgamated to produce this new chapter. |
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This procedure sets out the specific provision under the Children and Families Act 2014 in relation to children and young people aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs or disabilities. |
Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters | This procedure deals with placement of a child with carers who are dually approved, i.e. approved both as prospective adopters and as Local Authority foster carers. |
Notifications of Significant Events | This chapter sets out who must be notified of specified events in relation to Looked After children placed in foster care or residential care. |
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation | The information in this chapter is taken from Government guidance documents. It should be read in conjunction with the Local Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) Procedures regarding sexual exploitation of children and young people and related procedures in this manual. |
Child Arrangements Orders | Child Arrangements Orders have been introduced in April 2014 by the Children and Families Act 2014 (which amended Section 8 Children Act 1989). They replace Contact Orders and Residence Orders. This chapter details who can apply, conditions and directions. |
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