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Please Note: In Somerset we strive to use language that takes account of the views of care experienced young people. The term placement is used in these procedures, but we try not to use it in practice, preferring to use the word "home" wherever possible.

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1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

  1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles September 20, 2024
  2. 1.1.2Children's Consultation and ParticipationSeptember 30, 2024
  3. 1.1.3Capacity and ConsentMay 21, 2024
  4. 1.1.4Equality and DiversitySeptember 24, 2024

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

  1. 1.2.1Early HelpSeptember 20, 2024
  2. 1.2.2Threshold Document - Effective Support for Children and Families in SomersetSeptember 20, 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 20, 2024
  2. 1.3.2AssessmentsOctober 1, 2024
  3. 1.3.3Practice StandardsSeptember 20, 2024
  4. 1.3.4Pre-Birth AssessmentSeptember 20, 2024
  5. 1.3.5Child's Journey FrameworkSeptember 20, 2024
  6. 1.3.6Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)September 20, 2024
  7. 1.3.7Case Transfer ProcessSeptember 20, 2024
  8. 1.3.8Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures

1.4Child in Need

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

1.5Legal Proceedings

  1. 1.5.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersFebruary 7, 2024
  2. 1.5.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law OutlineJune 23, 2022
  3. 1.5.3Legal Gateway/Planning MeetingsAugust 19, 2024
  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 RepresentationsSeptember 25, 2024
  2. 1.6.2WhistleblowingSeptember 20, 2024

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 20, 2024
  2. 1.7.2Notifications of Significant EventsAugust 19, 2024

2.Case Management and Recording

  1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesSeptember 19, 2023
  2. 2.0.2Case Records and RetentionSeptember 20, 2024
  3. 2.0.3Access to Records/Subject Access RequestsOctober 1, 2024
  4. 2.0.4Confidentiality PolicyMay 21, 2024
  5. 2.0.5Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsJanuary 15, 2025
  6. 2.0.6Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffSeptember 30, 2024
  7. 2.0.7Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesJanuary 15, 2025

3.Children in Particular Circumstances

3.1Children with Disabilities

  1. 3.1.1Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesJanuary 15, 2025
  2. 3.1.2Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsJanuary 15, 2025
  3. 3.1.3Personal Budgets and Direct PaymentsJanuary 15, 2025
  4. 3.1.4Short BreaksJanuary 15, 2025
  5. 3.1.5Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkJanuary 15, 2025

3.2Deprivation of Liberty and Mental Capacity

  1. 3.2.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983January 15, 2025
  2. 3.2.2Deprivation of Liberty
  3. 3.2.3Mental Capacity

3.3Children from Abroad

  1. 3.3.1Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern SlaveryJanuary 15, 2025
  2. 3.3.2Families with No Recourse to Public FundsSeptember 25, 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 20, 2024

3.5Family and Friends Care

  1. 3.5.1Kinship CareJanuary 15, 2025
  2. 3.5.2Private FosteringSeptember 20, 2024
  3. 3.5.3Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingMarch 18, 2024

3.6Young Carers

  1. 3.6.1Young CarersSeptember 20, 2024

3.7Relinquished Children

  1. 3.7.1Relinquished ChildrenOctober 1, 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 ChildrenJanuary 15, 2025
  2. 4.1.2Decision to Look AfterOctober 1, 2024
  3. 4.1.3Care PlanningAugust 19, 2024
  4. 4.1.4Ceasing to Look After a ChildSeptember 19, 2023
  5. 4.1.5Permanence Planning GuidanceJuly 25, 2023
  6. 4.1.6Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsSeptember 26, 2024
  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

4.2Placements

  1. 4.2.1Placements with ParentsOctober 1, 2024
  2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected PersonsOctober 1, 2024
  3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster CareOctober 1, 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 1, 2024
  7. 4.2.7Placements Outside England and WalesMarch 6, 2024
  8. 4.2.8Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention AccommodationOctober 1, 2024
  9. 4.2.9Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersOctober 1, 2024
  10. 4.2.10Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersSeptember 20, 2024
  11. 4.2.11Placements in Other ArrangementsSeptember 19, 2023
  12. 4.2.12Health and SafetyJanuary 15, 2025

4.3Monitoring and Reviews

  1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Looked After ChildrenOctober 1, 2024
  2. 4.3.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsSeptember 20, 2024
  3. 4.3.3Looked After ReviewsJanuary 15, 2025
  4. 4.3.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersSeptember 30, 2024
  5. 4.3.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsOctober 1, 2024

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

  1. 4.4.1Contact with Parents/Adults and SiblingsSeptember 30, 2024
  2. 4.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)September 30, 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 1, 2024
  3. 4.5.3Leisure ActivitiesMarch 23, 2022

4.6Health and Wellbeing

  1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and PlansSeptember 30, 2024
  2. 4.6.2Personal Care and RelationshipsJuly 26, 2022
  3. 4.6.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour ManagementMarch 17, 2023
  4. 4.6.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and RestraintSeptember 20, 2024

4.7Change of Name and Marriage/Civil Partnership

  1. 4.7.1Change of Name of a Looked After ChildSeptember 20, 2024
  2. 4.7.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After ChildNovember 28, 2023

4.8Leaving Care and Transition

  1. 4.8.1Leaving Care and TransitionJanuary 15, 2025
  2. 4.8.2Staying PutOctober 1, 2024
  3. 4.8.3Financial Arrangements for Care LeaversSeptember 20, 2024

4.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

  1. 4.9.1Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice ServicesSeptember 20, 2024
  2. 4.9.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in CustodyOctober 1, 2024
  3. 4.9.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National GuidanceDecember 5, 2022
  4. 4.9.4 Youth Justice Board National Standards and Case Management Guidelines
  5. 4.9.5YJB and Probation Joint National Protocol for Transitions in England

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 CarersJanuary 15, 2025
  4. 5.1.4Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalOctober 1, 2024
  5. 5.1.5Supervision and Support of Foster CarersOctober 1, 2024
  6. 5.1.6Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersJuly 26, 2022
  7. 5.1.7Allegations Against Foster CarersJanuary 15, 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 AdoptersJanuary 15, 2025
  2. 5.2.2Adoption PanelMarch 17, 2023
  3. 5.2.3Placement for AdoptionJanuary 15, 2025
  4. 5.2.4Adoption SupportMarch 18, 2024
  5. 5.2.5Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsOctober 31, 2023
  6. 5.2.6Adoption ReviewsJuly 26, 2022
  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 AdoptedJanuary 15, 2025
  9. 5.2.9Inter Country AdoptionMay 21, 2024
  10. 5.2.10Non Agency AdoptionMay 21, 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 GuidanceMay 21, 2024
  15. 5.2.15Later Life LettersMay 21, 2024
  16. 5.2.16Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective AdoptersAugust 25, 2023
  17. 5.2.17Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere

5.3Special Guardianship

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

6.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

  1. 6.0.1List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated OfficersSeptember 20, 2024
  2. 6.0.2Ofsted Inspection FrameworkJanuary 15, 2025
  3. 6.0.3Working Together to Safeguard Children
  4. 6.0.4Amendments

Last Updated: October 1, 2024

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