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Working Together and Social Care Reform 

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Contents

Important Note:

Sefton Council is a member of Adoption in Merseyside (AiM) and as such their policies should be followed as indicated below.

 

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1.All Children

2.Case Management and Recording

3.Children in Particular Circumstances

4.Cared For Children

5.Fostering and Adoption

6.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

  1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles July 12, 2023
  2. 1.1.2Children's Consultation and ParticipationJuly 12, 2023
  3. 1.1.3Equality and DiversityJuly 12, 2023

1.2Staff Induction and Supervision Policy

  1. 1.2.1Children's Services Supervision PolicyJuly 12, 2023
  2. 1.2.2Children’s Social Care Induction Pack

1.3Early Help and Thresholds for Children's Social Care Services

  1. 1.3.1Capacity and ConsentJanuary 3, 2024
  2. 1.3.2Sefton Early Help: Strategy, Guidance Forms
  3. 1.3.3Sefton Level of Need Guidance
  4. 1.3.4Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)

1.4Children’s Social Care - Assessment and Planning

  1. 1.4.1Contacts and ReferralsJuly 12, 2023
  2. 1.4.2AssessmentsJuly 12, 2023
  3. 1.4.3Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)August 19, 2022
  4. 1.4.4Local Protocol for Assessment - to follow
  5. 1.4.5Sefton Multi-Agency Safeguarding Children Procedures
  6. 1.4.6Allocation of Work and Transfer between Teams

1.5Child in Need

  1. 1.5.1Child in Need Plans and ReviewsJanuary 3, 2024
  2. 1.5.2Complex Child in Need (CCIN) Process – Child Exploitation and Extra-Familial RiskAugust 19, 2022

1.6Legal Proceedings

  1. 1.6.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersJuly 12, 2023
  2. 1.6.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law OutlineJanuary 3, 2024
  3. 1.6.3Legal Gateway/Planning MeetingsJuly 12, 2023
  4. 1.6.4Protocol and Good Practice Model: Disclosure of Information in Cases of Alleged Child Abuse and Linked Criminal and Care Direction Hearings (October 2013)
  5. 1.6.5Cross-border child protection cases: the 1996 Hague Convention (DfE)
  6. 1.6.6Family 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.

1.7Complaints and Whistleblowing

  1. 1.7.1Complaints and RepresentationsJanuary 3, 2024
  2. 1.7.2Whistleblowing Policy

1.8Notifications

  1. 1.8.1Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Cared For and Child in Need)July 12, 2023

2.Case Management and Recording

  1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesJanuary 3, 2024
  2. 2.0.2Case Records and RetentionJuly 12, 2023
  3. 2.0.3Access to Records/Subject Access RequestsJuly 12, 2023
  4. 2.0.4Confidentiality PolicyAugust 19, 2022
  5. 2.0.5Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsJuly 12, 2023
  6. 2.0.6Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffJuly 12, 2023
  7. 2.0.7Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesFebruary 7, 2022

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 DisabilitiesJanuary 3, 2024
  2. 3.1.2Direct PaymentsAugust 19, 2022
  3. 3.1.3Short BreaksJuly 12, 2023
  4. 3.1.4Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsJanuary 3, 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 SlaveryJuly 12, 2023
  2. 3.3.2Families with No Recourse to Public FundsJanuary 3, 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 ReferJuly 12, 2023

3.5Family and Friends Care

  1. 3.5.1Family and Friends Care January 3, 2024
  2. 3.5.2Private FosteringJuly 12, 2023

3.6Young Carers

  1. 3.6.1Young CarersJanuary 3, 2024

3.7Relinquished Children

  1. 3.7.1AiM - Relinquished Children

3.8Mental Health

  1. 3.8.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983January 3, 2024

3.9Missing

  1. 3.9.1Missing Process (Flow Chart)

4.Cared For Children

4.1Decision to Care For and Care Planning

  1. 4.1.1Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Cared For ChildrenJanuary 3, 2024
  2. 4.1.2Decision to Care ForJuly 12, 2023
  3. 4.1.3Care PlanningJanuary 3, 2024
  4. 4.1.4Ceasing to Care For a ChildJanuary 3, 2024
  5. 4.1.5Permanence Planning GuidanceJanuary 3, 2024
  6. 4.1.6Placement Planning and Stability MeetingsJanuary 3, 2024
  7. 4.1.7Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Cared For ChildrenJuly 12, 2023
  8. 4.1.8Risk Assessment and PlanningUnder Review
  9. 4.1.9NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People

4.2Placements

  1. 4.2.1Placements with ParentsJuly 12, 2023
  2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected PersonsJanuary 3, 2024
  3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster CareJanuary 3, 2024
  4. 4.2.4Placements in Residential CareJanuary 3, 2024
  5. 4.2.5Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsJanuary 3, 2024
  6. 4.2.6Distant PlacementsJuly 12, 2023
  7. 4.2.7Placements Outside England and WalesJuly 12, 2023
  8. 4.2.8Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention AccommodationJuly 12, 2023
  9. 4.2.9Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersJuly 12, 2023
  10. 4.2.10Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersJuly 12, 2023
  11. 4.2.11Placements in Other ArrangementsJanuary 3, 2024
  12. 4.2.12Health and SafetyUnder Review
  13. 4.2.13Regulation 24 Assessments Procedure and Viability Assessments in the case of non-emergency placements Procedure

4.3Monitoring and Reviews

  1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Cared For ChildrenJuly 12, 2023
  2. 4.3.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsJanuary 3, 2024
  3. 4.3.3Cared For ReviewsJuly 12, 2023
  4. 4.3.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersJuly 12, 2023
  5. 4.3.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsJuly 12, 2023
  6. 4.3.6Notifications of Significant EventsJuly 12, 2023

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

  1. 4.4.1Contact with Parents/Adults and SiblingsJuly 12, 2023
  2. 4.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)July 12, 2023

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 ChildrenJanuary 3, 2024
  2. 4.5.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKJanuary 3, 2024
  3. 4.5.3Leisure ActivitiesUnder Review
  4. 4.5.4Sefton Virtual School for Looked After Children: Guide to Personal Education Plans and Pupil Premium Plus
  5. 4.5.5Sefton Virtual School: Schools Admission Policy

4.6Health and Wellbeing

  1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and PlansJuly 12, 2023
  2. 4.6.2Personal Care and RelationshipsJuly 12, 2023
  3. 4.6.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour ManagementJuly 12, 2023
  4. 4.6.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and RestraintJuly 12, 2023

4.7Change of Name and Marriage/Civil Partnership

  1. 4.7.1Change of Name of a Cared For ChildJuly 12, 2023
  2. 4.7.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Cared For ChildJuly 12, 2023

4.8Care Experienced and Transition

  1. 4.8.1Care Experienced and TransitionJanuary 3, 2024
  2. 4.8.2Staying PutJuly 12, 2023
  3. 4.8.3Financial Arrangements for Care LeaversTo Follow

4.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

  1. 4.9.1Cared For Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice ServicesJuly 12, 2023
  2. 4.9.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Cared For Children and Young People in CustodyJuly 12, 2023
  3. 4.9.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National GuidanceJuly 12, 2023

5.Fostering and Adoption

5.1Fostering Services

  1. 5.1.1Fostering PanelJuly 12, 2023
  2. 5.1.2Persons Disqualified from FosteringJuly 12, 2023
  3. 5.1.3Assessment and Approvals of Foster CarersAugust 19, 2022
  4. 5.1.4Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalFebruary 8, 2022
  5. 5.1.5Supervision and Support of Foster CarersJuly 12, 2023
  6. 5.1.6Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersJuly 12, 2023
  7. 5.1.7Allegations Against Foster CarersJuly 12, 2023
  8. 5.1.8Training and Development of Foster CarersUnder Review
  9. 5.1.9Recording Policy for Foster Carers

5.2Adoption and Permanence Services

  1. 5.2.1Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsJuly 12, 2023
  2. 5.2.2Adoption ReviewsJuly 12, 2023
  3. 5.2.3Stability of Adoptive PlacementsJuly 12, 2023
  4. 5.2.4Inter Country AdoptionJuly 12, 2023
  5. 5.2.5Life Story Books GuidanceJuly 12, 2023
  6. 5.2.6Later Life LettersJuly 12, 2023
  7. 5.2.7Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective AdoptersJanuary 3, 2024
  8. 5.2.8AiM - Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters
  9. 5.2.9AiM - Smoking / Vaping Policy
  10. 5.2.10AiM - Adoption Panel
  11. 5.2.11AiM - Moving to Adoption Policy
  12. 5.2.12AiM - Adoption Support
  13. 5.2.13AiM - Safeguarding Policy
  14. 5.2.14AiM - Allegations Against an Adopter Policy
  15. 5.2.15AiM - Non Agency Adoption
  16. 5.2.16AiM - Relinquished Children
  17. 5.2.17AiM - Adoption Case File Procedures
  18. 5.2.18AiM - Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records
  19. 5.2.19AiM - Intermediary Services
  20. 5.2.20Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere

5.3Special Guardianship

  1. 5.3.1Applications for Special Guardianship OrdersJanuary 3, 2024
  2. 5.3.2Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceJuly 12, 2023

6.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

  1. 6.0.1Local Contacts To Follow
  2. 6.0.2Ofsted Inspection FrameworkJanuary 3, 2024
  3. 6.0.3Areas of Decision Making and Responsibility in Child in Need, Child Protection and Cared for Children
  4. 6.0.4Working Together to Safeguard Children

Last Updated: January 3, 2024

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