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Policies and Procedures

Please note: Within Warrington the children and young people we care for are known as Children in Care.
However, you will find the term Looked After Children used throughout this manual as this is the term used in the legislation and statutory guidance.

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1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

  1. 1.1.1Our Approach to Children's Social Work in WarringtonSeptember 30, 2024
  2. 1.1.2Children's Consultation and ParticipationOctober 10, 2024
  3. 1.1.3Capacity and ConsentMay 21, 2024
  4. 1.1.4Equality and DiversitySeptember 30, 2024

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

  1. 1.2.1Early HelpSeptember 30, 2024
  2. 1.2.2Continuum of Need GuidanceSeptember 30, 2024
  3. 1.2.3Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)

1.3Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

  1. 1.3.1Contacts and ReferralsSeptember 30, 2024
  2. 1.3.2AssessmentsOctober 24, 2024
  3. 1.3.3Local Assessment ProtocolSeptember 30, 2024
  4. 1.3.4Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)October 22, 2024
  5. 1.3.5Case Transfer PolicySeptember 30, 2024
  6. 1.3.6Warrington Safeguarding Partnership Procedures - link to SCP

1.4Child in Need

  1. 1.4.1Child in Need Plans and ReviewsOctober 24, 2024

1.5Legal Proceedings

  1. 1.5.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersOctober 10, 2024
  2. 1.5.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law OutlineJune 23, 2022
  3. 1.5.3Legal Planning MeetingsUnder Review
  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 RepresentationsFebruary 20, 2025
  2. 1.6.2WhistleblowingFebruary 20, 2025

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 24)September 30, 2024

2.Case Management and Recording

  1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesSeptember 19, 2023
  2. 2.0.2Case Records and RetentionSeptember 30, 2024
  3. 2.0.3Subject Access RequestSeptember 30, 2024
  4. 2.0.4Confidentiality PolicyFebruary 20, 2025
  5. 2.0.5Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsFebruary 20, 2025
  6. 2.0.6Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesFebruary 20, 2025
  7. 2.0.7Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffOctober 10, 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 DisabilitiesFebruary 20, 2025
  2. 3.1.2Direct PaymentsUnder Review
  3. 3.1.3Short BreaksOctober 24, 2024
  4. 3.1.4Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsFebruary 20, 2025

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 SlaveryFebruary 20, 2025
  2. 3.3.2Families with No Recourse to Public FundsOctober 21, 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 ReferSeptember 30, 2024

3.5Family and Friends Care

  1. 3.5.1Kinship CareFebruary 20, 2025
  2. 3.5.2Private FosteringOctober 24, 2024
  3. 3.5.3Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingMarch 18, 2024

3.6Young Carers

  1. 3.6.1Young CarersFebruary 20, 2025

3.7Relinquished Children

  1. 3.7.1Relinquished ChildrenOctober 23, 2024

3.8Mental Health

  1. 3.8.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983February 20, 2025

4.Children in Care

4.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

  1. 4.1.1Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Children in CareFebruary 20, 2025
  2. 4.1.2Sufficiency StrategySeptember 30, 2024
  3. 4.1.3Decision to Look AfterSeptember 30, 2024
  4. 4.1.4Care PlanningSeptember 30, 2024
  5. 4.1.5Ceasing to Look After a ChildSeptember 19, 2023
  6. 4.1.6Securing PermanenceSeptember 30, 2024
  7. 4.1.7Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsOctober 21, 2024
  8. 4.1.8Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Children in CareOctober 10, 2024
  9. 4.1.9NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People

4.2Placements

  1. 4.2.1Placements with ParentsOctober 24, 2024
  2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected PersonsOctober 24, 2024
  3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster CareOctober 11, 2024
  4. 4.2.4Placements in Residential CareSeptember 19, 2023
  5. 4.2.5Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsSeptember 19, 2023
  6. 4.2.6Out of Area PlacementsOctober 22, 2024
  7. 4.2.7Placements Outside England and WalesOctober 10, 2024
  8. 4.2.8Placements in Other ArrangementsSeptember 19, 2023
  9. 4.2.9Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention AccommodationOctober 24, 2024
  10. 4.2.10Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersOctober 11, 2024
  11. 4.2.11Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersOctober 22, 2024

4.3Monitoring and Reviews

  1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Children in CareOctober 24, 2024
  2. 4.3.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsSeptember 30, 2024
  3. 4.3.3Case ReviewsFebruary 20, 2025
  4. 4.3.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersOctober 11, 2024
  5. 4.3.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsOctober 24, 2024
  6. 4.3.6Notifications of Significant EventsOctober 24, 2024

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

  1. 4.4.1Family Time with Parents/Adults and SiblingsFebruary 20, 2025
  2. 4.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)October 11, 2024

4.5Education, School Trips and Holidays

  1. 4.5.1Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After ChildrenJuly 25, 2023
  2. 4.5.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKOctober 11, 2024

4.6Health and Wellbeing

  1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and PlansOctober 11, 2024
  2. 4.6.2Personal Care and RelationshipsOctober 11, 2024
  3. 4.6.3Providing Personalised CareMarch 23, 2022
  4. 4.6.4Positive Relationships and Behaviour ManagementMarch 17, 2023
  5. 4.6.5Restrictive Physical Intervention and RestraintSeptember 30, 2024
  6. 4.6.6Leisure ActivitiesSeptember 30, 2024
  7. 4.6.7Risk Assessment and PlanningMarch 23, 2022
  8. 4.6.8Health and SafetyFebruary 20, 2025
  9. 4.6.9Promoting Wellbeing and Positive Identity for a Child or Young Person Who is Looked After: A Quick Guide for Social Workers and Social Care Practitioners

4.7Change of Name and Marriage/Civil Partnership

  1. 4.7.1Change of Name of a Child in CareSeptember 30, 2024
  2. 4.7.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Child in CareOctober 24, 2024

4.8Leaving Care and Transition

  1. 4.8.1Leaving Care and TransitionFebruary 20, 2025
  2. 4.8.2Staying PutSeptember 30, 2024
  3. 4.8.3Financial Arrangements for Care LeaversSeptember 30, 2024

4.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

  1. 4.9.1Children in Care and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice ServicesOctober 23, 2024
  2. 4.9.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in CustodyOctober 22, 2024
  3. 4.9.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National GuidanceDecember 5, 2022

5.Fostering and Adoption

5.1Fostering Services

  1. 5.1.1Fostering PanelSeptember 30, 2024
  2. 5.1.2Persons Disqualified from FosteringJuly 26, 2022
  3. 5.1.3Assessment and Approvals of Foster CarersFebruary 20, 2025
  4. 5.1.4Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalSeptember 23, 2024
  5. 5.1.5Supervision and Support of Foster CarersOctober 11, 2024
  6. 5.1.6Training and Development of Foster CarersMarch 23, 2022
  7. 5.1.7Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersOctober 11, 2024
  8. 5.1.8Allegations Against Foster CarersFebruary 20, 2025

5.2Adoption and Permanence Services

  1. 5.2.1Assessment and Approvals of Prospective AdoptersOctober 24, 2024
  2. 5.2.2Adoption PanelOctober 23, 2024
  3. 5.2.3Placement for AdoptionFebruary 20, 2025
  4. 5.2.4Adoption SupportOctober 23, 2024
  5. 5.2.5Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsSeptember 30, 2024
  6. 5.2.6Adoption ReviewsOctober 24, 2024
  7. 5.2.7Disruption of Adoptive PlacementsNovember 28, 2023
  8. 5.2.8Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already AdoptedFebruary 20, 2025
  9. 5.2.9Inter Country AdoptionMay 21, 2024
  10. 5.2.10Non Agency AdoptionMay 21, 2024
  11. 5.2.11Adoption Case RecordsOctober 24, 2024
  12. 5.2.12Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case RecordsSeptember 30, 2024
  13. 5.2.13Intermediary ServicesOctober 22, 2024
  14. 5.2.14Life Story Books GuidanceMay 21, 2024
  15. 5.2.15Later Life LettersMay 21, 2024
  16. 5.2.16Early Permanence Placements / Fostering for AdoptionOctober 11, 2024
  17. 5.2.17Together for Adoption Procedures
  18. 5.2.18Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere

5.3Special Guardianship

  1. 5.3.1Applications for Special Guardianship OrdersOctober 24, 2024
  2. 5.3.2Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceSeptember 30, 2024

6.Residential Services

  1. 6.0.1Admission and Discharge PolicySeptember 30, 2024
  2. 6.0.2Bullying PolicySeptember 30, 2024
  3. 6.0.3Dealing with Emergency SituationsSeptember 30, 2024
  4. 6.0.4Communication PolicySeptember 30, 2024
  5. 6.0.5Direct Work with Children Living in Residential Care - Guidance for Residential StaffSeptember 30, 2024
  6. 6.0.6E-Safety Residential ServiceSeptember 30, 2024
  7. 6.0.7Financial Policy for Children's Residential ServicesSeptember 30, 2024
  8. 6.0.8Food Safety PolicySeptember 30, 2024
  9. 6.0.9Guide to ASDSeptember 30, 2024
  10. 6.0.10Infection Control PolicySeptember 30, 2024
  11. 6.0.11Medication Policy - Mainstream Medication Policy - Short BreaksSeptember 30, 2024
  12. 6.0.12Mobile Phones and Digital ImagesSeptember 30, 2024
  13. 6.0.13OFSTED Children's Residential Homes Inspection policySeptember 30, 2024
  14. 6.0.14Policy and Guidance for the Safe Management of SeizuresSeptember 30, 2024
  15. 6.0.15Privacy and ConfidentialitySeptember 30, 2024
  16. 6.0.16Promoting EducationSeptember 30, 2024
  17. 6.0.17Repairs of the Home and CarsSeptember 30, 2024
  18. 6.0.18Safeguarding PolicySeptember 30, 2024
  19. 6.0.19Substance AbuseSeptember 30, 2024

7.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

  1. 7.0.1Local ContactsSeptember 30, 2024
  2. 7.0.2List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated OfficersFebruary 20, 2025
  3. 7.0.3Ofsted Inspection FrameworkFebruary 20, 2025
  4. 7.0.4Working Together to Safeguard Children
  5. 7.0.5Amendments

Last Updated: September 30, 2024

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