Children's Social Care Procedures - Contents


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This contents list is sub divided into the following sections, each Section contains relevant Chapters/Procedures: (Click on the title to jump to the Section you require):

  1. All Children
  2. Preventive and Family Services
  3. Disabled Children
  4. Mental Health
  5. Children Looked After
  6. Adoption and Permanence
  7. Appendices


1. All Children

1.1

Policy, Values and Principles

  
1.1.1 Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles Updated
1.1.2 Children's Consultation and Participation - under review  
1.1.3 Equality and Diversity  
1.1.4 Capacity and Consent  
1.1.5 Information Sharing and Confidentiality
(West Yorkshire Consortium Procedures)		  
1.1.6 Kinship Care New
1.1.7 Calderdale Children's Social Care: Practice Standards  

   

1.2

Assessment and Planning

  
1.2.1 Calderdale Safeguarding Children Partnership: Continuum of Need and Response  
1.2.2 Guidance for Referrals Between Adult Services and Children's Services (2023)  
1.2.3 Contacts and Referrals for Children in Need  
1.2.4 MAST Handbook  
1.2.5 Child and Family Single Assessment Guidance  
1.2.6 Early Intervention  
1.2.7 De-escalation from Children's Social Care Teams: Flowchart  
1.2.8 Pre-birth Assessments  
  See also: Relinquished Babies and Multi Agency Working with Families of Unborn Babies  
1.2.9 Section 47 Enquiries  
1.2.10 Process for Outpatient Medical Assessments where there are Child Protection Concerns  

   

1.3

Safeguarding Children

  
1.3.1 Children Missing from Home or Care  
1.3.2 Death of or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24) Updated
1.3.3 Homeless 16 and 17 Year Olds  
1.3.4 Safeguarding Foreign National Children Who Go Missing  
1.3.5 Principles for Working with Foreign Authorities in Child Protection Cases  
1.3.6 Procedure for the Review of Children on a Child Protection Plan 15 months plus  
1.3.7 Transfer in Process for Children from another Local Authority on a Child Protection Plan  
1.3.8 Safeguarding Children and Young People Against Radicalisation or Violent Extremism  
1.3.9 Safeguarding Children Returning to the UK from Syria  


 

1.4

Care Planning and Court Proceedings

  
1.4.1 Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline Updated
1.4.2 Legal Gateway Meetings  
1.4.3 Applications for Emergency Protection Orders  
1.4.4 Decision to Look After  
1.4.5 Care Proceedings - Information for Social Workers  
1.4.6 Care Plans in Court Proceedings  
1.4.7 Variation and Revocation of Care Orders  
1.4.8 Private Law Proceedings  
1.4.9 Section 7 and Section 37 Protocol Flowchart  
1.4.10 Cross-Border Child Protection Cases Under the 1996 Hague Convention  
  See also: Family 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.  
  See also: NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People  

   

1.5

Emergency Duty Team

  
1.5.1 Emergency Duty Team  
1.5.2 Emergency Duty Team and Child Protection  
1.5.3 Out of Hours Placements  

   

1.6

Management/Operational Procedures

  
1.6.1 Management Oversight / Decision Making  
1.6.2 Child Exploitation Team and Operational Group: Roles and Responsibilities of Children's Social Care  
1.6.3 Multi-agency Practice Principles for Responding to Child Exploitation and Extra-familial Harm (Research in Practice)  
1.6.4 Domestic Abuse Hub and the Role of the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC)  
1.6.5 Multi-Agency Pregnancy Liaison and Assessment Group (MAPLAG): Roles and Responsibilities of Children's Social Care  
1.6.6 Supervision / One to One Policy  
1.6.7 Transfer Protocol for Cases Transferring between Children's Social Care Teams  
1.6.8 Statutory Duties under Sections 85 and 86 of the Children Act 1989  

   

1.7

Case Management and Recording

  
1.7.1 Recording Policy and Guidelines  
1.7.2 Access to Records  
1.7.3 A Guide to Chronologies  
1.7.4 Voice of the Child Guidance  
1.7.5 Case Records and Retention  
1.7.6 Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations  
1.7.7 Storage of Data on Mobile Devices  
1.7.8 Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff  

   

1.8

Complaints and Whistleblowing

  
1.8.1 Complaints  
1.8.2 Calderdale Council Whistleblowing Policy  

   

1.9

Deprivation of Liberty and Mental Capacity

  
1.9.1 Deprivation of Liberty  
1.9.2 Mental Capacity  


2. Preventive and Family Services

2.1 Private Fostering  
2.2 Open Minds and Child and Family Mental Health Services  
2.3 Family Group Conferences  
2.4 Family Networks and Family Group Decision Making New
2.5 Section 17 Payments  
2.6 Child in Need Plans and Reviews  
2.7 Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery Updated
2.8 Families with No Recourse to Public Funds Updated
2.9 Young Carers Updated
  See also: Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)  


3. Disabled Children

  See also: Calderdale Local Offer for Children with Special Needs or Disabilities  
3.1 Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Updated
3.2 Direct Payments for Children  
3.3 Short Breaks: Assessment, Planning and Review  
3.4 Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings  
3.5 Protocol between the Disabled Children's Team and MAST  
  See also: Deprivation of Liberty and Mental Capacity  


4. Mental Health

4.1 Aftercare Under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 New


5. Children Looked After

5.1

Youth Justice

  
5.1.1 Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation  
5.1.2 When Children Looked After Commit Offences (October 2018)  
5.1.3 Children Looked After in Contact with Youth Justice Services  
5.1.4 Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance  

   

5.2

Placements

  
  See also: Placement Request Form  
5.2.1 Sufficiency Duty in Relation to Accommodation of Children  
  See also: Early Permanence Placements / Fostering for Adoption  
5.2.2 Placement Resource Group  
5.2.3 Making a Referral for a Foster Placement  
5.2.4 Matching in Foster Care  
5.2.5 Support Care Foster Placements  
5.2.6 Breaks Away  
5.2.7 Placements in Residential Care Updated
5.2.8 Placement with Parents  
5.2.9 Placement Outside England and Wales  
5.2.10 Placements in Other Arrangements Updated
5.2.11 Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds Updated
5.2.12 Post Placement Arrangements  
5.2.13 Placements with Connected Persons Updated
5.2.14 Risk Assessment and Planning  
5.2.15 Receiving Notifications from Other Local Authorities or Placement Providers Regarding Children Looked After Placed in Calderdale  
5.2.16 Notification of Placements for Children Looked After in another Local Authority  
5.2.17 Policy for Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers  
5.2.18 Foster Carer's Delegated Authority – Decision Support Tool  
5.2.19 Ceasing to Look After a Child  
5.2.20 Reunification Process Policy and Guidance  

   

5.3

Monitoring and Reviews

  
5.3.1 Placement Planning Meetings  
5.3.2 Disruption Reviews  
5.3.3 Child Looked After Reviews  
5.3.4 Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing Officers  
5.3.5 Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews  
5.3.6 Practice Disputes in the Management of Children Looked After – Process and Practice Guidance  
5.3.7 Notifications of Significant Events Updated
5.3.8 Advocacy and Independent Visitors  

   

5.4

Education of Children Looked After

  
5.4.1 Supporting and Promoting the Education of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After Updated
5.4.2 Personal Education Plans  
5.4.3 Consent for Absence from School  
5.4.4 Access to Early Years Education for Children Looked After  
5.4.5 The Role of the Virtual School  
5.4.6 Change of School Placement  
5.4.7 Admissions to Educational Establishments  

   

5.5

Recreation and Activities

  
5.5.1 Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK  
5.5.2 Activities and Transporting Children  

   

5.6

Family Time and Contact with Visitors and Friends

  
5.6.1 Family Time with Parents, other Adults and Siblings  
5.6.2 Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays with Friends)  
5.6.3 Social Worker Visits to Children Looked After  
5.6.4 Contact Standards and Procedures  

   

5.7

Fostering Services

  
  Fostering Services National Minimum Standards  
5.7.1 Fostering Panel  
5.7.2 Responding to Enquiries about Fostering  
5.7.3 References and Statutory Checks in Respect of Foster Carers, their Households and Networks  
5.7.4 Assessment of Prospective Foster Carers  
5.7.5 Appeals Process for Foster Care Applicants and Carers  
5.7.6 Assessment of Connected Persons as Mainstream Foster Carers  
5.7.7 Fostering Exemptions and Extensions and Variations of Approval  
5.7.8 Persons Disqualified From Fostering  
5.7.9 Allegations and Complaints Against Foster Carers Updated
5.7.10 Supervision and Support of Foster Carers  
5.7.11 Training and Development of Foster Carers  
5.7.12 Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers  
5.7.13 Employees of Calderdale Council Acting as Foster Carers  
5.7.14 Parent and Child Foster Placements - Policy, Procedure and Placement Preparation  
5.7.15 Permanence Policy  
  See: Early Permanence Placements / Fostering for Adoption  
  See also: File Audit Tool for Fostering Team  

   

5.8

Foster Carers

  
  Calderdale Foster Carer's Charter  
5.8.1 Behaviour Management and Safe Caring  
5.8.2 Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint  
5.8.3 Placement Agreements  
5.8.4 Guidelines for Recording - Fostering Files on Electronic Records  
5.8.5 Contents of Foster Carer Files  
5.8.6 File Audit Tool - Foster Files  
5.8.7 Foster Carers Record Keeping and Retention Policy  
5.8.8 Applications to Foster, or Adopt from Employees of Calderdale Council and Potential Conflicts of Interest  
5.8.9 Foster Carer Payment for Skills Scheme  
5.8.10 Foster Carers Who Wish to Adopt the Child they are Fostering  
5.8.11 Health and Safety  

   

5.9

Health and Wellbeing of Children Looked After

  
5.9.1 Health Assessments and Health Recommendation Plans  
5.9.2 Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQs) Guidance  
5.9.3 Personal Care and Relationships  
5.9.4 Internet Safety Policy for Children Looked After  
  See: Calderdale Children's Homes Procedures for additional guidance in relation to children living in our homes.  
5.9.5 Risk Management for Mopeds and Motorbikes  
  See also: Promoting 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)  

   

5.10

Transition and Leaving Care

  
5.10.1 Leaving Care  
5.10.2 Staying Put Updated
5.10.3 Pathway Plans and Reviews  
5.10.4 Financial Arrangements for Young People Leaving Care who are Living Independently  
5.10.5 Transition at 18 to Adult Services  
5.10.6 Accommodation Support for Young People Leaving Care  
5.10.7 Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Children Looked After in Custody  
5.10.8 Calderdale Youth Justice Service: Youth to Adult Transitions  
  See also: YJB and Probation Joint National Protocol for Transitions in England  

   

5.11

Miscellaneous

  
5.11.1 Change of Name of a Child Looked After  
5.11.2 Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Child Looked After  
5.11.3 Obtaining Birth Certificates for Children Looked After  
5.11.4 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Children Looked After  
5.11.5 Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National Framework New


6. Adoption and Permanence

  Adoption National Minimum Standards  
  See also: One Adoption Procedures  


 
 

The list of procedures below indicates where specific responsibilities for adoption activity rest - either with the local authority or One Adoption (the regional adoption agency).

Please note that not all processes have been finalised yet, so please ring One Adoption 0113 3783535 if you have any queries or need advice.

One Adoption now undertakes most of the adoption work regionally. Please follow the link to their procedures where indicated. Where the responsibility remains with the local authority, this is set out in these procedures.

However, It is important to bear in mind that many of the tasks will be carried out jointly even if one agency has the lead responsibility.

Please ensure that all correspondence received from One Adoption relating to the adoption, such as the match, is uploaded onto CASS.

For all adoption planning, please see the 'Adoption Plan Tasklist' within the Permanence Policy which sets out individual responsibilities. 		 


 
6.1 Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters (One Adoption)  
6.2 Adoption Panel (One Adoption)  
6.3 Placement for Adoption (Local Authority)  
  and The Child's Journey - Placement for Adoption (One Adoption)  
  Please note: This is a joint responsibility shared by the local authority and One Adoption. See the Adoption Plan Task list in Permanence Policy which outlines each agency's responsibilities.  
6.4 Family Finding Role and Procedure (One Adoption)  
6.5 Making Inter Agency Adoptive Placements (One Adoption and Local Authority)  
6.6 Adoption Reviews (Local Authority)  
6.7 Disruption of Adoptive Placements (One Adoption)  
6.8 Allegations against Prospective Adopters (One Adoption)  
6.9 Intercountry Adoption (One Adoption)  
6.10 Non Agency Adoptions (One Adoption)  
6.11 Adoption Support (One Adoption)  
6.12 Adoption Finance  
6.13 Adoption Case Records (One Adoption and Local Authority)  
6.14 Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case Records (One Adoption)  
6.15 Intermediary Services (One Adoption)  
6.16 Applications for Special Guardianship (Local Authority) Updated
6.17 Court Reports in Adoption/Special Guardianship (Local Authority)  
6.18 Early Permanence Placements / Fostering for Adoption  
6.19 Post Adoption Contact (One Adoption and Local Authority)  
6.20 Life Story Work - My Family and Me  
6.21 Later Life Letters (Local Authority)  
6.22 Letterbox System (Local Authority)  
6.23 Relinquished Babies  
  See also: Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere  


7. Appendices

7.1 Scheme of Delegation  
7.2 Working Together to Safeguard Children  
7.3 Ofsted Inspection Framework  
7.4 File Audit Tool for Fostering Team  
7.5 Amendments