Contents

1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles August 1, 2024
2. 1.1.2Children's Consultation and ParticipationFebruary 20, 2025
3. 1.1.3Equality and DiversityFebruary 20, 2024
4. 1.1.4Supervision Policy, Standards and GuidanceAugust 1, 2025

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

1. 1.2.1Early Help Framework February 20, 2025
2. 1.2.2Threshold Document - Continuum of Help and Support February 20, 2024
3. 1.2.3Capacity and ConsentAugust 1, 2025
4. 1.2.4Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)

1.3Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

1. 1.3.1Contacts and ReferralsAugust 1, 2024
2. 1.3.2AssessmentsFebruary 19, 2026
3. 1.3.3Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)August 1, 2024
4. 1.3.4Local Protocol for AssessmentTo Follow
5. 1.3.5Allocation of Work and Transfer between TeamsFebruary 20, 2024
6. 1.3.6London Safeguarding Children Procedures

1.4Child in Need

1. 1.4.1Child in Need Plans and ReviewsAugust 1, 2024

1.5Child Protection

1. 1.5.1Child Protection
   Updated
   February 19, 2026

1.6Legal Proceedings

1. 1.6.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersAugust 1, 2024
2. 1.6.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law OutlineFebruary 19, 2026
3. 1.6.3Legal Gateway/Planning MeetingsAugust 1, 2024
4. 1.6.4Disclosure of Information between Family and Criminal Agencies and Jurisdictions: 2024 Protocol
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 RepresentationsFebruary 20, 2025
2. 1.7.2WhistleblowingFebruary 20, 2025

1.8Notifications

1. 1.8.1Death or Serious Harm to a Child Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver up to and Including the Age of 24
   Updated
   February 19, 2026

2.Case Management and Recording

1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesAugust 1, 2024
2. 2.0.2Case Records and RetentionFebruary 20, 2024
3. 2.0.3Access to Records/Subject Access RequestsFebruary 20, 2025
4. 2.0.4Confidentiality PolicyFebruary 20, 2025
5. 2.0.5Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsFebruary 20, 2025
6. 2.0.6Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffAugust 1, 2024
7. 2.0.7Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesFebruary 19, 2026

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. 3.1.2Personal Budgets and Direct PaymentsFebruary 19, 2026
3. 3.1.3Short BreaksFebruary 19, 2026
4. 3.1.4Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsFebruary 19, 2026
5. 3.1.5Guidance on Visits to Children in Residential HomesFebruary 20, 2024
6. 3.1.6Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkFebruary 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 SlaveryAugust 1, 2025
2. 3.3.2Families with No Recourse to Public Funds
   Updated
   Under Review

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 Refer
   Updated
   February 19, 2026

3.5Family and Friends Care

1. 3.5.1Kinship Care
   Updated
   February 19, 2026
2. 3.5.2Private FosteringAugust 1, 2024
3. 3.5.3Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingAugust 1, 2024

3.6Young Carers

1. 3.6.1Young Carers
   Updated
   February 19, 2026

3.7Relinquished Children

1. 3.7.1Relinquished ChildrenFebruary 20, 2025

3.8Mental Health

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

4.Looked After Children

4.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

1. 4.1.1Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After ChildrenFebruary 19, 2026
2. 4.1.2Decision to Look AfterFebruary 20, 2025
3. 4.1.3Care PlanningFebruary 20, 2024
4. 4.1.4Ceasing to Look After a ChildAugust 1, 2024
5. 4.1.5Permanence Planning GuidanceFebruary 20, 2024
6. 4.1.6Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsFebruary 20, 2024
7. 4.1.7Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children
   Updated
   February 19, 2026
8. 4.1.8Risk Assessment and PlanningFebruary 19, 2026
9. 4.1.9Providing Personalised CareFebruary 20, 2024
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 (NICE)

4.2Placements

1. 4.2.1Placements with ParentsFebruary 20, 2024
2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected PersonsAugust 1, 2024
3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster CareFebruary 20, 2024
4. 4.2.4Placements in Residential CareFebruary 20, 2024
5. 4.2.5Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsAugust 1, 2024
6. 4.2.6Out of Area PlacementsFebruary 19, 2026
7. 4.2.7Placements Outside England and WalesFebruary 20, 2024
8. 4.2.8Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation
   Updated
   February 19, 2026
9. 4.2.9Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersFebruary 20, 2024
10. 4.2.10Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersFebruary 20, 2024
11. 4.2.11Placements in Other ArrangementsAugust 1, 2024
12. 4.2.12Health and SafetyAugust 1, 2025

4.3Monitoring and Reviews

1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Looked After ChildrenAugust 1, 2024
2. 4.3.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsFebruary 20, 2025
3. 4.3.3Looked After Reviews
   Updated
   February 19, 2026
4. 4.3.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing Officers
   Updated
   February 19, 2026
5. 4.3.5Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsFebruary 20, 2024
6. 4.3.6Notifications of Significant EventsFebruary 19, 2026

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

1. 4.4.1Contact with Parents/Adults and SiblingsFebruary 20, 2025
2. 4.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)February 20, 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 ChildrenAugust 1, 2024
2. 4.5.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK
   Updated
   February 19, 2026
3. 4.5.3Leisure ActivitiesAugust 1, 2025

4.6Health and Wellbeing

1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and PlansAugust 1, 2024
2. 4.6.2Personal Care and RelationshipsFebruary 20, 2024
3. 4.6.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour Support
   Updated
   February 19, 2026
4. 4.6.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint
   Updated
   February 19, 2026

4.7Change of Name and Marriage/Civil Partnership

1. 4.7.1Change of Name of a Looked After ChildAugust 1, 2024
2. 4.7.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After ChildFebruary 20, 2024

4.8Leaving Care and Transition

1. 4.8.1Leaving Care and TransitionAugust 1, 2025
2. 4.8.2Staying PutFebruary 19, 2026
3. 4.8.3Financial Arrangements for Care LeaversFebruary 20, 2024

4.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

1. 4.9.1Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services
   Updated
   February 19, 2026
2. 4.9.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in CustodyFebruary 19, 2026
3. 4.9.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance
   Updated
   February 19, 2026
4. 4.9.4Protocol between Children's Services and Youth Offending ServiceFebruary 20, 2024

5.Fostering and Adoption

5.1Fostering Services

1. 5.1.1Fostering PanelFebruary 20, 2024
2. 5.1.2Persons Disqualified from FosteringFebruary 20, 2024
3. 5.1.3Assessment and Approvals of Foster CarersAugust 1, 2025
4. 5.1.4Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalFebruary 20, 2024
5. 5.1.5Supervision and Support of Foster CarersAugust 1, 2025
6. 5.1.6Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersFebruary 20, 2024
7. 5.1.7Allegations Against Foster CarersAugust 1, 2025
8. 5.1.8Training and Development of Foster CarersFebruary 20, 2024

5.2Adoption and Permanence Services

1. 5.2.1Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective AdoptersFebruary 19, 2026
2. 5.2.2Adoption PanelFebruary 20, 2025
3. 5.2.3Placement for AdoptionAugust 1, 2025
4. 5.2.4Adoption Support
   Updated
   February 19, 2026
5. 5.2.5Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsFebruary 20, 2024
6. 5.2.6Adoption ReviewsFebruary 20, 2024
7. 5.2.7Disruption of Adoptive PlacementsFebruary 20, 2024
8. 5.2.8Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already AdoptedFebruary 19, 2026
9. 5.2.9Inter Country AdoptionAugust 1, 2024
10. 5.2.10Non Agency AdoptionAugust 1, 2024
11. 5.2.11Adoption Case RecordsFebruary 20, 2024
12. 5.2.12Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case RecordsFebruary 20, 2024
13. 5.2.13Intermediary ServicesFebruary 20, 2024
14. 5.2.14Life Story Books GuidanceAugust 1, 2024
15. 5.2.15Later Life LettersAugust 1, 2024
16. 5.2.16Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective AdoptersFebruary 20, 2024
17. 5.2.17Adopt London Website
18. 5.2.18Adopt London Procedures
19. 5.2.19Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere

5.3Special Guardianship

1. 5.3.1Applications for Special Guardianship Orders
   Updated
   February 19, 2026
2. 5.3.2Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceFebruary 20, 2025

6.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

1. 6.0.1List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers
   Updated
   February 19, 2026
2. 6.0.2Local ContactsAugust 1, 2025
3. 6.0.3Ofsted Inspection FrameworkFebruary 20, 2025
4. 6.0.4Working Together to Safeguard Children
5. 6.0.5Amendments