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Working Together and Social Care Reform 

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Note: in Sutton we use the term 'Children Looked After'. In this section and throughout these procedures, you will also find references to 'Looked After Children' in line with the terminology used in legislation and statutory guidance. The terms are interchangeable.

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1.All Children

2.Case Management and Recording

3.Prevention and Family Support

4.Children in Particular Circumstances

5.Children Looked After

6.Fostering and Adoption

7.Appendices

1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

  1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and PrinciplesSeptember 29, 2023
  2. 1.1.2Confidentiality PolicySeptember 29, 2023
  3. 1.1.3Consultation PolicySeptember 29, 2023
  4. 1.1.4Children's Consultation and ParticipationSeptember 29, 2023
  5. 1.1.5Capacity and ConsentSeptember 20, 2023
  6. 1.1.6Equality and DiversityJuly 25, 2022
  7. 1.1.7Looking After Someone Else's Child (GOV.UK)

1.2Early Help and LSCP Thresholds for Referral and Assessment

  1. 1.2.1Early Help and LSCP Thresholds for Referral and AssessmentSeptember 29, 2023
  2. 1.2.2Sutton Threshold Document - Continuum of Need and Support
  3. 1.2.3Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)

1.3Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

  1. 1.3.1Initial Contacts and ReferralsSeptember 29, 2023
  2. 1.3.2AssessmentsSeptember 29, 2023
  3. 1.3.3Developing Local Protocols for AssessmentSeptember 29, 2023
  4. 1.3.4Section 47 EnquiriesSeptember 29, 2023
  5. 1.3.5Risk Assessment and PlanningMarch 23, 2022

1.4Court Proceedings

  1. 1.4.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersJuly 26, 2022
  2. 1.4.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law OutlineJanuary 29, 2024
  3. 1.4.3Legal Gateway/Planning MeetingsSeptember 29, 2023
  4. 1.4.4Protocol and Good Practice Model: Disclosure of Information in Cases of Alleged Child Abuse and Linked Criminal and Care Direction Hearings (October 2013)
  5. 1.4.5Cross-border child protection cases: the 1996 Hague Convention (DfE)
  6. 1.4.6Family 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.

1.5Miscellaneous

  1. 1.5.1Death or Serious Injury to a Child (including Looked After / Child in Need)September 29, 2023
  2. 1.5.2Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual ExploitationSeptember 29, 2023

1.6Complaints and Whistleblowing

  1. 1.6.1Complaints and RepresentationsJanuary 29, 2024
  2. 1.6.2WhistleblowingSeptember 29, 2023

2.Case Management and Recording

  1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesSeptember 29, 2023
  2. 2.0.2Case Records and RetentionSeptember 27, 2023
  3. 2.0.3Access to Records/Subject Access RequestsJanuary 29, 2024
  4. 2.0.4Electronic Recording of MeetingsSeptember 29, 2023
  5. 2.0.5Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffJanuary 29, 2024
  6. 2.0.6Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesSeptember 29, 2023

3.Prevention and Family Support

  1. 3.0.1Child in Need Plans and ReviewsSeptember 29, 2023
  2. 3.0.2Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 Year Olds who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation; and Duty to ReferSeptember 27, 2023
  3. 3.0.3Young CarersJanuary 29, 2024
  4. 3.0.4Private Fostering
  5. 3.0.5London Safeguarding Children Procedures
  6. 3.0.6Deprivation of Liberty

4.Children in Particular Circumstances

4.1Children with Disabilities

  1. 4.1.1Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesJanuary 29, 2024
  2. 4.1.2Direct PaymentsSeptember 29, 2023
  3. 4.1.3Short BreaksSeptember 29, 2023

4.2Children from Abroad

  1. 4.2.1Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern SlaverySeptember 29, 2023
  2. 4.2.2Families with No Recourse to Public FundsJanuary 29, 2024

4.3Relinquished Children

  1. 4.3.1Relinquished ChildrenJanuary 29, 2024

4.4Mental Capacity

  1. 4.4.1Mental Capacity

5.Children Looked After

5.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

  1. 5.1.1Decision to Look AfterSeptember 29, 2023
  2. 5.1.2Care PlanningSeptember 29, 2023
  3. 5.1.3Ceasing to Look After a ChildSeptember 19, 2023
  4. 5.1.4Permanence Planning GuidanceJanuary 29, 2024
  5. 5.1.5Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsJanuary 29, 2024
  6. 5.1.6Placements in Foster CareJanuary 29, 2024
  7. 5.1.7Placements in Residential CareJanuary 29, 2024
  8. 5.1.8Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention AccommodationSeptember 29, 2023
  9. 5.1.9Out of Area PlacementsSeptember 29, 2023
  10. 5.1.10Placements with Connected PersonsJanuary 29, 2024
  11. 5.1.11Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsJanuary 29, 2024
  12. 5.1.12Placements with ParentsSeptember 27, 2023
  13. 5.1.13Placements Outside England and WalesJuly 26, 2022
  14. 5.1.14Placements in Other ArrangementsJanuary 29, 2024
  15. 5.1.15Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersSeptember 29, 2023
  16. 5.1.16Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersSeptember 29, 2023
  17. 5.1.17Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After ChildrenSeptember 29, 2023
  18. 5.1.180 - 25 Children and Young People Placement Commissioning Strategy
  19. 5.1.19NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People
  20. 5.1.20Promoting Wellbeing and Positive Identity for a Child or Young Person Who is Looked After: A Quick Guide for Social Workers and Social Care Practitioners

5.2Monitoring and Reviews

  1. 5.2.1Social Worker Visits to Looked After ChildrenSeptember 29, 2023
  2. 5.2.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsSeptember 20, 2023
  3. 5.2.3Looked After ReviewsSeptember 29, 2023
  4. 5.2.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersSeptember 29, 2023
  5. 5.2.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsSeptember 29, 2023
  6. 5.2.6Notifications of Significant EventsSeptember 29, 2023

5.3Contact and Overnight Stays

  1. 5.3.1Contact with Parents/Adults and SiblingsSeptember 29, 2023
  2. 5.3.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)September 29, 2023

5.4Education, School Trips and Holidays

  1. 5.4.1Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKJanuary 29, 2024
  2. 5.4.2Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After ChildrenJanuary 29, 2024
  3. 5.4.3Leisure ActivitiesSeptember 20, 2023

5.5Health and Wellbeing

  1. 5.5.1Health Care Assessments and PlansSeptember 29, 2023
  2. 5.5.2Personal Care and RelationshipsSeptember 29, 2023
  3. 5.5.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour ManagementMarch 17, 2023
  4. 5.5.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and RestraintSeptember 29, 2023
  5. 5.5.5Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983January 29, 2024
  6. 5.5.6Personalised CareSeptember 20, 2023
  7. 5.5.7Health and SafetyJanuary 29, 2024

5.6Identity

  1. 5.6.1Change of Name of a Looked After ChildSeptember 29, 2023
  2. 5.6.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After ChildSeptember 27, 2023

5.7Leaving Care and Transition

  1. 5.7.1Leaving Care and TransitionSeptember 29, 2023
  2. 5.7.2Staying Put Policy
  3. 5.7.3Financial Arrangements for Care Leavers - local procedure

5.8Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

  1. 5.8.1Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice ServicesSeptember 29, 2023
  2. 5.8.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in CustodySeptember 29, 2023
  3. 5.8.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National GuidanceDecember 5, 2022

6.Fostering and Adoption

6.1Fostering Services

  1. 6.1.1Fostering PanelSeptember 20, 2023
  2. 6.1.2Training and Development of Foster CarersSeptember 20, 2023
  3. 6.1.3Persons Disqualified from FosteringSeptember 29, 2023
  4. 6.1.4Assessment and Approvals of Foster CarersJanuary 29, 2024
  5. 6.1.5Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalSeptember 29, 2023
  6. 6.1.6Supervision and Support of Foster CarersSeptember 29, 2023
  7. 6.1.7Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersJuly 26, 2022
  8. 6.1.8Allegations Against Foster CarersSeptember 29, 2023
  9. 6.1.9Family and Friends Care PolicyJanuary 29, 2024

6.2Adoption and Permanence

  1. 6.2.1Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective AdoptersSeptember 27, 2023
  2. 6.2.2Adoption PanelMarch 17, 2023
  3. 6.2.3Placement for AdoptionJanuary 29, 2024
  4. 6.2.4Adoption SupportSeptember 27, 2023
  5. 6.2.5Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsSeptember 29, 2023
  6. 6.2.6Adoption ReviewsSeptember 29, 2023
  7. 6.2.7Disruption of Adoptive PlacementsSeptember 29, 2023
  8. 6.2.8Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already AdoptedSeptember 29, 2023
  9. 6.2.9Inter Country AdoptionSeptember 29, 2023
  10. 6.2.10Non Agency AdoptionSeptember 29, 2023
  11. 6.2.11Adoption Case RecordsFebruary 8, 2022
  12. 6.2.12Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case RecordsJuly 26, 2022
  13. 6.2.13Intermediary ServicesSeptember 29, 2023
  14. 6.2.14Applications for Special Guardianship OrdersJanuary 29, 2024
  15. 6.2.15Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceSeptember 29, 2023
  16. 6.2.16Life Story Books GuidanceNovember 15, 2021
  17. 6.2.17Later Life LettersNovember 15, 2021
  18. 6.2.18Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective AdoptersJanuary 29, 2024
  19. 6.2.19Special Guardianship Finance Policy
  20. 6.2.20Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere

7.Appendices

  1. 7.0.1Local ContactsSeptember 29, 2023
  2. 7.0.2List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated OfficersSeptember 29, 2023
  3. 7.0.3Ofsted Inspection FrameworkJanuary 29, 2024
  4. 7.0.4Working Together to Safeguard Children
  5. 7.0.5Amendments

Last Updated: January 29, 2024

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