Amendments |
August 2021
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Supervision Policy | This chapter has been amended to include the Cumbria Children and Young People’s Services – Supervision Framework: Policy, Procedure and Guidance. |
| Assessments | This chapter has been amended to add a new Section 15, 16 and 17 year olds who may be Homeless and/or require Accommodation and reflects the issue of Homelessness and the vulnerability of young people identified in Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| 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. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | A new Section 10, Use of Inherent Jurisdiction to Authorise a Placement Involving a Deprivation of Liberty When One or More of the Relevant Criteria Under Section 25 Children Act 1989 are Not Satisfied has been added. |
| Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect changes from the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Holidays and School Trips in the UK | This guidance has been reviewed and updated. |
| Holidays and School Trips Outside the UK | This guidance has been reviewed and updated throughout. Section 2.3, Insurance Cover has been updated to include details of how to apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which provides access to reduced cost or free medical insurance in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Section 2.4, Obtaining a Passport has also been updated to link to reissued Home Office guidance for Local Authorities Children’s Services Departments when Applying for Passports on Behalf of Children. |
| 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). |
| Supervision and Support of Foster Carers | This chapter has been updated with the current guide to payments in Appendix 2: Guide to the Payment. |
| Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records | This chapter has been given a general refresh throughout and information added on applying for a copy of a birth certificate online. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Next update: February 2022 |
Archive
February 2021
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Notification 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. |
| Complaints and Representations | Information contained in this procedure has been reviewed and refreshed as required. |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | Section 4, Independent Family Returns Panel has been updated. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | Section 6, Placements of Children under 13 years has been updated following publication of revised DfE guidance. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Capacity and Consent | In this chapter, guidance is offered in relation to the various situations in which consent is likely to be sought, with reference to previous legal judgements. |
| Use of Social Media | The use of social media in a social care and safeguarding environment is a developing area. Cases and reviews have discussed the use of social media in social work practice. There is, however, currently no specific government guidance on the issue. This chapter is designed to highlight some of the issues to be considered, with links to additional information. |
| Storage of Data on Mobile Devices | This chapter provides guidance on the storage of personal data (including photographs) on mobile devices. |
October 2020
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Provision of Accommodation to Homeless 16 and 17 year olds | A link has been added to Good Practice Guidance Prevention of Homeless and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds. |
September 2020
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Financial Arrangements for Care Leavers | Appendix 1: Table Of Financial Entitlements has been updated. |
August 2020
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Assessments | This chapter has been updated in line with the new digital referral system for reporting potential victims of Modern Slavery. |
| Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child In Need) | This chapter has been updated locally therefore should be read in its entirety. |
| Recording Policy and Guidelines | This chapter has been updated to reflect the Ofsted Twitter Blog of 24/7/19 by Yvette Stanley, Ofsted's National Director for Social Care. The Blog highlights feedback from a number of inspections and explores what good recording should look like (Ofsted: developments in children's social care – What makes an effective case record?). |
| 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. |
| Need to Know Policy and Procedure (Internal Notifications) | This chapter has been amended to add a link to new chapter Notifications of Significant Events (External Notifications). |
| Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect Keeping Children Safe in Education 2019 which replaces the 2018 version. Section 8, Safeguarding the Looked After Child at School has been amended to include reference to Upskirting (which is now a criminal offence) and serious violence. In Section 1.3, Role of the Local Authority, Virtual School Head (VSH), and School OFSTED’s advice that Local Authorities should exercise due diligence in ensuring schools for LAC pupils are registered with the DFE has been added. |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | This chapter has been reviewed and refreshed, and terminology has been updated where required. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Notification of Significant Events | This chapter has been added the manual. It should be read in its entirety. |
| Removed Chapters | |
|
|
February 2020
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been updated to reference and note the Family Justice Council Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship (May 2019) (see Section 1, Introduction). |
| Private Fostering | This chapter has been updated. It confirms in Section 14, After the Private Fostering Arrangement Ends that any request for support by the young person should be made to the local authority in which they are resident or where the education and training is being provided. |
| Permanence Policy and Practice Guidance | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re read throughout. |
| Placements with Parents | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 9, Representations / Independent Review Procedure. |
| Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers | A link has been added to Attending an IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 6, Representations/Review Procedure. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters | This chapter has been amended to reflect the national changes in adoption registration and matching (see Section 9, After the Panel Recommendation). A has also been added to Attending an IRM Panel: information sheets (see Section 10, Representations / Independent Review Procedure). |
| Placement for Adoption | This chapter has been amended to reflect the national changes in adoption registration and matching (see Section 7.6, Inter Agency Placements and Section 11, Children Approved for Adoption for Whom no Placement has been Identified). |
| Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records | A link has been added to Attending and IRM Panel: information sheets. See Section 3.2, Adoption Orders made on or after 30 December 2005. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been updated to reference and reflect the Family Court Justice Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship, Courts and Tribunals Judiciary (see new Section 7.2, Special Guardianship Applications in Care Proceedings). |
| Court Reports in Adoption/Special Guardianship Guidance | This chapter has been updated to note the Family Justice Council: Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship (Family Justice Council, May 2019). See Section 3, Special Guardianship - Matters to be Dealt with in Report for the Court and final paragraphs 11 and 12. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children and Young People - Collaborative Case File Audit Tool | This audit tool has been added to the manual. |
| The Management of Unallocated Cases in Assessment Support | This procedure has been added to the manual. |
| Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings | This chapter reflects statutory guidance in relation to children who are placed by health authorities or local authorities for more than 3 months in residential establishments for educational purposes and children placed in care homes or independent hospitals (including hospices) by health authorities or local authorities (Sections 85 and 86 of the Children Act 1989). |
| Placement of Cumbria Children in Unregulated or Unregistered Supported Accommodation | This policy has been added to the manual. |
August 2019
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children's Consultation and Participation | The Related Guidance section has been updated to add supporting resources with regard to children's consultation and participation. |
| Assessments | This chapter has been revised to reflect updated guidance on Assessment in Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Policy / Procedure Relating to the Transport for Children Open to a Children's Social Care Team | This document has been updated in order to add local guidance around the checking of car seats. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | This chapter has been amended to reflect changes from 'Practice Direction 27a - Family Proceedings: Court Bundles (Universal Practice to be Applied in the High Court and Family Court)', in relation to the required maximum length of certain court documents, (unless otherwise specifically directed by the court). In addition, a new subsection of Section 4.1, Local Authority Documentation - 'Final Care Plan' provides further detail on the importance of recording information on the Care Plan which will help the child, parent or the child's carer understand why decisions have been or are being made. It has also been amended in to reflect HHJ Greensmith's comments regarding M and N (Children: Local authority gathering, preserving and disclosing evidence) [2018] EWFC 40 (1 June 2018)). (See Section 9, Good Local Authority Practice During Proceedings) |
| Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child In Need) | This chapter has been updated throughout to reflect Working Together to Safeguard Children and the process for reporting a serious incident to the Panel via the Child Safeguarding Incident Notification System. |
| Recording Policy and Guidelines | This chapter has been amended to reflect HHJ Greensmith's comments regarding M and N (Children: Local authority gathering, preserving and disclosing evidence) [2018] EWFC 40 (1 June 2018). |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance which require schools, through the designated teacher to provide support to previously Looked After Children. A previously Looked After Child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because they are the subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been updated when a new Section 6, Suitable Placements has been added. Details of the National Transfer Scheme Protocol for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children Version 2.0 March 2018 have been added into Section 1, Introduction and Definitions. |
| Age Assessment Procedure | This chapter has been updated in order to add local documents to the procedure. |
| Ceasing to Look After a Child | This chapter has been reviewed 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, see Section 2.3, How to Request a Transfer or Placement Review. |
| Out of Area Placements | This chapter has been updated in order to add local documents to the procedure. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | This chapter has been updated with regard to Section 7, Planned Placements and the request, identification and approval of placements. |
| 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 and Previously Looked After Children | This chapter has been updated to reflect amendments made by the Children and Social Work Act 2017. These changes relate to the status of ‘previously looked after children’ i.e. a previously looked-after child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because s/he is the subject of an adoption, special guardianship or child arrangements order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from ‘state care’ outside England and Wales. The chapter includes a new Section 15, Mental Health and a new Section 8, Safeguarding the Looked After Child at School. A link has been added to the National Curriculum Assessments at Key Stage 2. In addition the chapter reflects the statutory guidance Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) 2018, as it relates to Looked After Children and guidance regarding Data protection and safeguarding as set out in Data protection: a toolkit for schools (Open Beta: Version1.0) (August 2018). |
| Leaving Care and Transition | Amendments have been made in:
|
| Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services | This chapter has been updated in relation to placing young people in custody, see Section 7.7, How to Request a Transfer or Placement Review. |
| Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody | This chapter has been updated in relation to placing young people in custody, see Section 3.8, How to Request a Transfer or Placement Review. |
| Adoption Support | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and revised statutory guidance which require schools, through the Designated Teacher for Looked After Children, to offer support to previously looked after children. A previously looked-after child is one who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because subject of an Adoption, Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales). |
February 2019
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Assessments | Section 4, Communication has been updated to include reference to parents with learning disabilities. |
| 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. |
| Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child In Need) | This chapter has been updated to reflect that 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. |
| Case Retention | A note has been added with regards to the Goddard Enquiry and the retention of records. |
| Relinquished Children | Section 5, Consent and Competency has been updated to include additional information on parental capacity to consent, in line with High Court case-law. |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | Additional information has been added in to Section 1.3, Section 20 Accommodation, in line with recent case-law. |
| Children 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 have been subject to Section 20 and where there have been 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. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been fully revised throughout. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been updated to reflect the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman good practice points to follow when working with Special Guardians. A link to the full report ‘Firm Foundations: Complaints about Council Support and Advice for Special Guardians (Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman)’ has been added into the Relevant National Guidance section of this chapter. |
| Life Story Books Guidance | This chapter has been reviewed. |
| Later Life Letters | This chapter has been fully reviewed. |
August 2018
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Confidentiality Policy | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Initial Contacts and Referrals | This chapter has been revised to set out in more detail the timetable and partnership requirements associated with effectively managing contacts and referrals. |
| Recording Policy and Guidelines | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Access to Records / Subject Access Requests | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read in its entirety. |
| Electronic Recording of Meetings | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
| 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 1.2, Assessment and Checks Before Placement). |
| Contact with Parents / Adults and Siblings | Section 2, Different Types of Contact has been updated to take account of the use of mobile communication with regards to contact. |
| Change of Name of a Looked After Child | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. Additionally, Appendix A: Request to Change the Name of a Child Looked After being placed with an adoptive family has been added. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This guidance has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Financial Arrangements for Care Leavers | Appendix 1: Table Of Financial Entitlements has been updated. |
| Fostering Panel | Appendix A: Children and Young People – Representing their views at Fostering Panel, Appendix B: Team Manager Reports to Fostering and Adoption Panels and Appendix C: Fostering Panel Documentation have been added. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Adoption Panel | Appendix A: Team Manager Reports to Fostering and Adoption Panels and Appendix B: Reports Required for Adoption Panel have been added. This guidance has also been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| Placement for Adoption | Section 1, Planning for Permanence has been updated to reflect the additional consideration (added by section 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. Appendix 5: Meetings Between Children and Adopters before the Matching Panel and ADM has also been added. |
| 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 section 9 Children and Social Work Act 2017 into the list of considerations whenever a court or adoption agency is coming to a decision relating to the adoption of a child), of the relationship which the child has with relatives, with any person who is a prospective adopter with whom the child is placed and with any other person in relation to whom the court or agency considers the relationship to be relevant. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Case File Audit Process | Links to the auditing process and tool have been added to the manual. |
| Process for Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP) Auditing | Links to the auditing process and tool have been added to the manual. |
| Deprivation of Liberty | A link to this resources has been added to the manual. |
| Mental Capacity | A link to this resources has been added to the manual. |
May 2018
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Policy / Procedure Relating to the Transport for Children Open to a Children's Social Care Team | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
February 2018
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Introduction and Context | An updated link has been added to Cumbria County Council Plan 2016-19 in Section 2, Local Context – Council Plan. |
| Children's Consultation and Participation | This chapter replaces the former chapter entitled 'Consultation Policy'. |
| Young Carers | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | A link has been added to the NRPF website to Securing British Citizenship for Looked After Children which highlights 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. |
| Placing and Moving Children in Foster Care | This chapter has been extensively updated and replaces the previous chapter entitled 'Placement Planning and Disruption Meetings'. |
| Change of Name of a Looked After Child | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Age Assessment Procedure | This procedure sets out the age assessment process within Cumbria. This procedure has been put in place in November 2017, however, as more research is conducted and more legal challenges are made, it will be necessary to periodically review and update to incorporate new information. |
| Removed Chapters | |
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August 2017
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Introduction and Context | This chapter has been updated in line with the Children's Services Directorate Priorities 2017 – 18. |
| Family and Friends Care | 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. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | Section 2, Pre-Proceedings, has been updated to reflect that the Public Law Outline Pre-Proceedings Protocol has been developed to ensure consistency over all the districts in the work of the pre proceedings. The Protocol covers the principles and the process of pre-proceedings it includes templates for the agenda, minutes, PLO Plan. It also outlines the process for exiting PLO when we are not going in to proceedings. There is also a useful top tips for social worker to make pre-proceedings work for children and families. |
| 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 DoH, Care and support statutory guidance (December 2016). (See Section 12, Funding Issues - Ordinary Residence). A link has been added into Section 16, Further Information and Statutory Guidance, to guidance on SEND: 19- to 25-year-olds' entitlement to EHC plans (DfE 2017). |
| Direct Payments | The Direct Payment Flowchart has been updated. |
| Short Breaks | A link has been added to Friendship For All (The Children's Society) in the Related National Guidance and Information section. |
| Placements with Connected Persons | Section 3, Approval of Immediate Placements of Looked After Children with Connected Persons, has been updated to include matters that should be considered when placing a child with a Connected Person should include an initial risk assessment of any pets, together with the environment in which the pet is kept. A link has also 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. |
| Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Placements with Parents | Section 1.2, Assessment and Checks before Placement, has been updated to include consideration should be given as to whether the home environment is safe for the child including 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. |
| Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing Officers | This chapter has been updated in relation to the role of the Independent Reviewing Officer in line with the Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (2015). In particular, the IRO being sensitive to the close and active involvement of parents of a child looked after in a series of Short Breaks and problem-solving where there might be difficulties or issues. |
| 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. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | Minor amends have been made to this chapter including the addition of Appendix 1: 16 / 17 Years Olds Leaving Care. |
| Financial Arrangements for Care Leavers | Minor amendments have been made to this chapter. |
| Supervision and Support of Foster Carers | Section 5, Support Provided by the Supervising Social Worker (During Placement), has been updated to reflect that the Safer Caring Plan, any changes in household circumstances along with any health and safety issues including the addition of any new pets and the environment in which they are kept should be reviewed as required. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters | Section 5.3, Assessment, 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. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been updated. 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. |
| Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters | Section 1, Introduction, in Cumbria adopters will have undergone additional training and received the Foster to Adopt handbook has been added and in Section 4.3, Notifications - where a child is placed Out of Area or At a Distance, the appropriate authorisation and notification must take place as for any foster placement. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Public Law Outline Pre-Proceedings Protocol | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
February 2017
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Assessments | This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a judgment following an application to remove a child at birth. The judge highlighted ‘good practice steps’ to undertaking assessments and issuing care proceedings in respect of the removal of a child at birth, including the assessment process. A link has also been added to the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit in Related Guidance and Legislation. |
| Section 47 Enquiries | Section 1, Initiating Section 47 Enquiries has been updated with regards to When a situation arises where CP Plans are closed and then a further Strategy Meeting is called, the social worker should consult with the IRO and include in the Strategy Meeting to ensure continuity if possible. |
| 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. The Public Law Outline Process Flow Chart has been amended, to reflect that to exit Pre-proceedings it needs to go back to the Legal and Placement Panel (LPP), if after having been to LPP the information indicates need to go into proceedings the case must come back to LPP and if during the Pre-proceedings process it becomes more serious it must come back to LPP. |
| Legal and Placement Panel | This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a judgement 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) Appendices 1-5 have also been updated. |
| Case Retention | A note has been added with regards to the Goddard Enquiry and the retention of records. |
| Electronic Recording of Meetings | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | A link has been added to National Framework for Children and Young People’s Continuing Care in the Related Guidance section. |
| Short Breaks | Short Breaks Service Statement has been updated and Short Breaks - A short guide for parents/carers and the Local Offer have been added. |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | A link has been added to the ADCS/Cafcass Practice Guidance for the Use of Section 20. |
| Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After Children | Appendix 1: Required Action Following A Notification of a declined effectiveness judgement for a service in which Cumbria County Council has children placed has been added. |
| Children Looked After Reviews | This chapter has been amended to note the Law Society guidance ‘Attendance of solicitors at local authority Children Act Meetings’ and their Code of Conduct where the child or family who attend reviews are supported by a legal representative. |
| Staying Put Policy | A link to Staying Put: What does it mean for you? (Catch 22 National Care Advisory Service) has been added to the Relevant Information section. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| LCS Guidance C and F Assessment Guidance | This guidance has been added. |
| Relinquished Children | This chapter deals with the first stages of the adoption process for relinquished children, whilst signposting other key processes that should be progressed and which are expected for any child who is Accommodated or where the plan is for adoption. It also summarises the counselling and support that will be made available to the birth family in these circumstances. Once a decision is made and consent is formally given, although not irreversible, the adoption process is as for any other child. |
September 2016
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Social Work Assessed and Supported Year (ASYE) Policy | This policy has been added to the manual. |
August 2016
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Assessments | A link to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 has been added and the chapter clarifies that any assessment must take account of any issues that may indicate that the child is or has been trafficked or a victim of compulsory labour, servitude and slavery. It also clarifies that a referral into the National Referral Mechanism should be made where this is identified. |
| Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline | Appendix 3: Local Authority Social Work Initial Evidence and Appendix 4: Local Authority Social Work FINAL Evidence have been added. |
| Legal and Placement Panel | Section 4, Timing and Duration of Legal and Placement Panel has been updated and Appendix 1: Public Law Outline Process Flow Chart has been updated. |
| Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child In Need) | Section 4, Role of Fostering Support Worker… focus on carers, Section 5, Role of Fostering Team Manager, Section 6, Managing any Inquest, and Section 7, Managing Publicity, have been added. |
| Employee Whistleblowing Policy | A link has been added to Whistleblowing about children's social care services to Ofsted in the Related Guidance section. |
| Recording Policy and Guidelines | This chapter has been substantially updated and should be read in its entirety. |
| Access to Records / Subject Access Requests | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Private Fostering | ICS Private Fostering Guidance and Private Fostering Parental Responsibility have been updated. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | A link has been added to 0 to 25 SEND code of practice: a guide for health professionals Advice for clinical commissioning groups, health professionals and local authorities. |
| Direct Payments | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Short Breaks | 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 Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (2015). |
| Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children | A link to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 has been added and the chapter clarifies that any assessment must take account of any issues that may indicate that the child is or has been trafficked or a victim of compulsory labour, servitude and slavery. |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | A sentence has been added to Section 2, Role of the Local Authority reminding practitioners that they should consider issues such as modern slavery when undertaking assessments. |
| Decision to Look After and Care Planning | This chapter has been substantially updated and should be read in its entirety. |
| Ceasing to Look After a Child | Appendix 2: 16 / 17 Years Olds Leaving Care has been added. |
| Placements in Residential Care | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Placements with Connected Persons | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Advocacy and Independent Visitors | A link has been added to The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review and a new Section 1.1 Duties of an Advocate has been added. |
| Contact with Parents / Adults and Siblings | This chapter has been substantially updated and should be read in its entirety. |
| Education of Looked After Children | A link has been added to Mental Health Behaviour in Schools Guidance (DfE 2016). |
| Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | Section 5, Planning Meeting, 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. |
| Court Reports in Adoption/Special Guardianship Guidance | Section 3, Special Guardianship – Matters to be Dealt with in Report to Court, 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. |
| Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters | Information has been added at Section 4.2, Considering Adoption for a Child with regards to 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. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Policy / Procedure Relating to the Transport for Children Open to a Children's Social Care Team | Cumbria County Council has a duty to provide transport for all children under its care. This policy has been developed to ensure the safe and efficient provision of transport for looked after children and children in need between home, school, leisure, contact and any other place or activity as part of the child's care plan. |
| Electronic Recording of Meetings | In considering any requests of electronic recording of meetings by any party, it should be ensured that agreeing to such a request will not impact on the quality of the information-sharing and discussion, or compromise the decision-making with regard to the safeguarding of the child. |
| Foster Carers who are also Childminders | This guidance has been produced to cover situations where foster carers who provide a valuable respite care provision for the Fostering Service also provide childminding services to non Looked After Children. It will help ensure that these carers manage the dual responsibilities and requirements successfully. |
| Procedure for Foster Carers Who Wish to Adopt a Child Currently in Their Care | This protocol is to assist Social Workers in managing situations where a foster carer expresses a wish to adopt a child in their care. |
| Foster Carers Possessing Guns and Weapons | This procedure deals with the assessment and action required of foster carers who possess licensed guns. Whilst Cumbria County Council acknowledges the rights of individuals to own licensed guns and other weapons not requiring a licence, the Local Authority will first and foremost consider the needs and any potential risk to children who are looked after. |
February 2016
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Confidentiality Policy | This chapter has been updated to reflect the Information Sharing Advice For Practitioners Providing Safeguarding Services To Children, Young People, Parents And Carers (March 2015) and an updated version of the Children’s Services Information Sharing Protocol has been added. |
| Section 47 Enquiries | Section 1, Initiating Section 47 Enquiries has been updated with regards to a multi-agency assessment is the means by which Section 47 Enquiries are carried out and the associated timescales. |
| Allocation of Work and Transfer between Teams | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Legal and Placement Panel | Section 4, Timing and Duration of Legal and Placement Panel has been updated and Appendix 1: Public Law Outline Process Flow Chart has been updated. |
| Provision of Accommodation to Homeless 16 and 17 year olds | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Short Breaks | Section 7, Short Break Settings, revised links to new Quality Standards for Children’s Homes and Care Quality Commission (CQC) has been updated. |
| Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children | Section 3, Assessment, a link to “good practice documents" produced by the ADCS Asylum Task Force who worked with the Home Office has been added. |
| Permanence Policy and Practice Guidance | Section 9.5, Special Guardianship Order has been updated with a link to the Department of Education’s publication on Special Guardianship Orders, experiences, challenges and outcomes. |
| Placements in Foster Care | This chapter has been updated to reflect the Statutory Guidance The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (2015). A new Section 9, Long-Term Foster Placements has been added. |
| Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be 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 The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (2015). |
| Children Looked After Reviews | This chapter has been updated to include the requirements of The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (2015). |
| Need to Know Policy and Procedure | The Notification of a Serious Event (Need to Know) Flowchart and Template 3: Notification of Serious Event (Need to Know) - INVOLVING A MEMBER OF STAFF (INCLUDING SCHOOL STAFF) have been updated. |
| Restrictive Physical Intervention | This chapter has been revised throughout to reflect the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards; it should be re-read. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | Minor amends have been made to this chapter including Review of the Pathway Plan, the chair where possible will be the same person at subsequent reviews to ensure consistency for the young person. |
| Staying Put Policy | Section 1, Introduction has been updated to include information on Cumbria County Council Staying Put Advisers. |
| Financial Arrangements for Care Leavers | This chapter has been extensively amended and should be read throughout. |
| Supervision and Support of Foster Carers | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | A link has been added to Section 3.3, Investigation and Action to Child Action North West. |
| Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters | This chapter has been updated including a link being added to Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers: Amendments to the Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations in the Relevant Guidance section. |
| Placement for Adoption | This chapter has been extensively updated including the addition of Appendices 1-4. |
| Applications for Special Guardianship Orders | Section 16, Special Guardian Duty on the Death of the Child and has been added to this chapter. |
| Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters | A link has been added to The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (2015) in the Related Guidance section. |
| Delegation of Authority | This chapter has been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Young Carers | This chapter deals with the recognition and response to young carers. |
| Ceasing to Look After a Child | This chapter reflects the statutory guidance ‘Ceasing to look after a child’ in ‘Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations (2015)’ as amended by the ‘Care Planning and Fostering (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2015’ together with Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Dispute Resolution Process | This chapter deals with when and how you might use this process. |
October 2015
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Permanence Policy and Practice Guidance | This chapter has been updated throughout in line with the Children and Families Act 2014, in addition to a new chapter Adoption Regulations 2012 Guidance and Adoption Decision-Making (ADM) Guidance, (which includes practice guidance in the Appendices). |
August 2015
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Introduction and Context | This chapter has been updated with in line with the Children’s Services Directorate Priorities 2015 – 16. |
| Confidentiality Policy | This chapter has been updated with regards to Information sharing: advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services (March 2015). Section 1.2, Staff Obligations has been updated with regards to consent and when the public interest would justify disclosure of the information. Section 4, Data Protection Act 1998 has been updated with regards to the Act balances the rights of the information and the need to share information about them. Never assume sharing is prohibited – it is essential to consider this balance in every case and the Information Commissioner has published a statutory code of practice on information sharing to help organisations adopt good practice. |
| Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Families with No Recourse to Public Funds | This chapter has been updated in line with Care Act 2014 regarding support to adults. |
| Health Care Assessments and Plans | This chapter has been extensively updated in line with the updated Statutory Guidance on Promoting the Health and Well-being of Looked After Children. |
| Leaving Care and Transition | This chapter has been extensively updated in line with The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 3: Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers (revised May 2015). |
| Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer Approval | At 3.1 Planned Exemptions, information has been added with regards to Independent agencies should make a request to the Service Manager, Fostering and Adoption with regards to children in the Cumbria area. On-going exemption of foster families from IFAs will be presented to the Fostering Panel for a recommendation. |
| Supervision and Support of Foster Carers | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Allegations Against Foster Carers | Some slight amendments have been made to this chapter including at 3.1 Initial Action. At this stage, the Regulatory Authority must be informed of the allegation/suspicion and the supervising social worker's manager will inform the Senior Manager responsible using an SCPC Form. |
| Placement for Adoption | This chapter has been updated including Section 7.2, Cumbria's Matching Procedures. |
| Delegation of Authority | An updated document has been added. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Supervision Policy | This policy provides a framework for staff and managers on the requirements for the effective and consistent supervision of all staff employed within Cumbria County Council Children’s Services. |
| Children Missing from Home or Care (Cumbria Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures Manual) |
A link has been added to this. |
| Children and Families that go Missing (Including Unborn Children) (Cumbria Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures Manual) |
A link has been added to this. |
| Children Missing from Education (Cumbria Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures Manual) |
A link has been added to this. |
| Financial Arrangements for Care Leavers | The purpose of the policy is to ensure Cumbria provides appropriate financial support to Cumbrian care leavers. |
End