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1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

  1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  2. 1.1.2Children's Consultation and Participation
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  3. 1.1.3Equality and DiversityJuly 25, 2022

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

  1. 1.2.1Early Help Framework
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  2. 1.2.2Threshold Document - Continuum of Help and Support
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  3. 1.2.3Capacity and ConsentDecember 17, 2024
  4. 1.2.4Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)

1.3Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

  1. 1.3.1Contacts and Referrals
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  2. 1.3.2Assessments
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  3. 1.3.3Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  4. 1.3.4Allocation of Work and Transfer between TeamsJune 10, 2025
  5. 1.3.5Safeguarding Southend Partnership Procedures

1.4Child in Need

  1. 1.4.1Child in Need Plans and Reviews
    Updated
    June 10, 2025

1.5Legal Proceedings

  1. 1.5.1Applications for Emergency Protection Orders
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  2. 1.5.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  3. 1.5.3Legal Gateway/Planning Meetings
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  4. 1.5.4Disclosure of Information between Family and Criminal Agencies and Jurisdictions: 2024 Protocol
  5. 1.5.5Cross-border child protection cases: the 1996 Hague Convention (DfE)
  6. 1.5.6Family Justice Resource Hub (ADCS) - This hosts a series of practical resources, such as templates, tools and practice guidance, which will be of interest to those working in the family justice system.

1.6Complaints and Whistleblowing

  1. 1.6.1Complaints and Representations
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  2. 1.6.2Whistleblowing

1.7Notifications

  1. 1.7.1Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver up to and Including the Age of 25)
    Updated
    June 10, 2025

2.Case Management and Recording

  1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and Guidelines
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  2. 2.0.2Case Records and RetentionFebruary 13, 2023
  3. 2.0.3Access to Records/Subject Access RequestsJune 10, 2025
  4. 2.0.4Confidentiality Policy
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  5. 2.0.5Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsJune 10, 2024
  6. 2.0.6Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffJune 10, 2024
  7. 2.0.7Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesDecember 17, 2024

3.Children in Particular Circumstances

3.1Children with Disabilities and Complex Health Needs

  1. 3.1.1Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesDecember 17, 2024
  2. 3.1.2Personal Budgets and Direct PaymentsDecember 17, 2024
  3. 3.1.3Short Breaks PlanFebruary 13, 2023
  4. 3.1.4Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsDecember 17, 2024
  5. 3.1.5Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkDecember 17, 2024

3.2Deprivation of Liberty and Mental Capacity

  1. 3.2.1Deprivation of Liberty
  2. 3.2.2Mental Capacity

3.3Children from Abroad

  1. 3.3.1Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern SlaveryJune 10, 2025
  2. 3.3.2Families with No Recourse to Public FundsJune 10, 2024

3.4Homelessness

  1. 3.4.1Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 Year Olds who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation; and Duty to Refer
    Updated
    June 10, 2025

3.5Family and Friends Care

  1. 3.5.1Kinship Care
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  2. 3.5.2Private FosteringFebruary 13, 2023
  3. 3.5.3Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingDecember 17, 2024

3.6Young Carers

  1. 3.6.1Young CarersDecember 17, 2024

3.7Relinquished Children

  1. 3.7.1Relinquished ChildrenDecember 17, 2024

3.8Mental Health

  1. 3.8.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983December 17, 2024

4.Looked After Children

4.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

  1. 4.1.1Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After Children
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  2. 4.1.2Decision to Look AfterDecember 17, 2024
  3. 4.1.3Care PlanningDecember 7, 2023
  4. 4.1.4Ceasing to Look After a ChildDecember 17, 2024
  5. 4.1.5Permanence Planning GuidanceJune 10, 2024
  6. 4.1.6Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsDecember 7, 2023
  7. 4.1.7Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After ChildrenFebruary 7, 2022
  8. 4.1.8Risk Assessment and PlanningMarch 23, 2022
  9. 4.1.9Providing Personalised CareMarch 23, 2022
  10. 4.1.10NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People
  11. 4.1.11Promoting Wellbeing and Positive Identity for a Child or Young Person Who is Looked After: A Quick Guide for Social Workers and Social Care Practitioners (NICE)

4.2Placements

  1. 4.2.1Placements with Parents
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected PersonsDecember 17, 2024
  3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster Care
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  4. 4.2.4Placements in Residential CareJune 10, 2025
  5. 4.2.5Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  6. 4.2.6Out of Area PlacementsDecember 7, 2023
  7. 4.2.7Placements Outside England and WalesJuly 26, 2022
  8. 4.2.8Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention AccommodationDecember 7, 2023
  9. 4.2.9Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement Providers
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  10. 4.2.10Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersDecember 7, 2023
  11. 4.2.11Placements in Other ArrangementsJune 10, 2024
  12. 4.2.12Health and Safety
    Updated
    June 10, 2025

4.3Monitoring and Reviews

  1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Children Looked After
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  2. 4.3.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsDecember 17, 2024
  3. 4.3.3Looked After Reviews
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  4. 4.3.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing Officers
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  5. 4.3.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  6. 4.3.6Notifications of Significant EventsDecember 17, 2024

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

  1. 4.4.1Family Time (Contact) with Parents/Adults and SiblingsJune 10, 2025
  2. 4.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)February 13, 2023

4.5Education, School Trips and Holidays

  1. 4.5.1Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievements of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After ChildrenDecember 17, 2024
  2. 4.5.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKDecember 7, 2023
  3. 4.5.3Leisure ActivitiesMarch 23, 2022

4.6Health and Wellbeing

  1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and PlansJune 10, 2024
  2. 4.6.2Personal Care and RelationshipsJuly 26, 2022
  3. 4.6.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour ManagementDecember 7, 2023
  4. 4.6.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and RestraintJuly 26, 2022

4.7Change of Name and Marriage/Civil Partnership

  1. 4.7.1Change of Name of a Looked After ChildJune 10, 2024
  2. 4.7.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After ChildJune 20, 2023

4.8Leaving Care and Transition

  1. 4.8.1Leaving Care and Transition
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  2. 4.8.2Staying PutDecember 17, 2024
  3. 4.8.3Financial Arrangements for Care Leavers

4.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

  1. 4.9.1Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice ServicesFebruary 13, 2023
  2. 4.9.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in CustodyFebruary 13, 2023
  3. 4.9.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance
    Updated
    June 10, 2025

5.Fostering and Adoption

5.1Fostering Services

  1. 5.1.1Fostering PanelJuly 26, 2022
  2. 5.1.2Persons Disqualified from FosteringJuly 26, 2022
  3. 5.1.3Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  4. 5.1.4Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalJuly 26, 2022
  5. 5.1.5Supervision and Support of Foster CarersAugust 28, 2024
  6. 5.1.6Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersJuly 26, 2022
  7. 5.1.7Allegations Against Foster Carers
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  8. 5.1.8Training and Development of Foster CarersMarch 23, 2022

5.2Adoption and Permanence Services

  1. 5.2.1Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  2. 5.2.2Adoption PanelDecember 7, 2023
  3. 5.2.3Placement for AdoptionJune 10, 2025
  4. 5.2.4Adoption SupportJune 10, 2024
  5. 5.2.5Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsJuly 26, 2022
  6. 5.2.6Adoption ReviewsJuly 26, 2022
  7. 5.2.7Disruption of Adoptive PlacementsJuly 26, 2022
  8. 5.2.8Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already Adopted
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  9. 5.2.9Inter Country AdoptionDecember 17, 2024
  10. 5.2.10Non Agency AdoptionDecember 17, 2024
  11. 5.2.11Adoption Case RecordsFebruary 8, 2022
  12. 5.2.12Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case RecordsJuly 26, 2022
  13. 5.2.13Intermediary ServicesJuly 26, 2022
  14. 5.2.14Life Story Books Guidance
    Updated
    June 10, 2025
  15. 5.2.15Later Life LettersDecember 17, 2024
  16. 5.2.16Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective AdoptersDecember 7, 2023
  17. 5.2.17Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere

5.3Special Guardianship

  1. 5.3.1Applications for Special Guardianship OrdersDecember 17, 2024
  2. 5.3.2Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceJune 10, 2024

6.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

  1. 6.0.1List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated OfficersDecember 17, 2024
  2. 6.0.2Ofsted Inspection FrameworkDecember 17, 2024
  3. 6.0.3Working Together to Safeguard Children
  4. 6.0.4Amendments

Last Updated: June 10, 2025

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