Children & Young People’s Services Procedures Manual

Amendments

2026

January 2026

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children	This chapter was refreshed in January 2026, to include information from the Criminal Injuries Compensation: A Guide.
Positive Relationships and Behaviour Support	This chapter was refreshed in January 2026.
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders	In January 2026, information was added in Section 6.3, Placement before a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) is Granted to highlight that the DfE has extended the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund initially until March 2027, with a new fair access limit of £3000.
Adoption Support	In January 2026, information was added in Section 3, Examples of Adoption Support to highlight that the DfE has extended the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund initially until March 2027, with a new fair access limit of £3000.
Death or Serious Harm to a Child Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24	This chapter was refreshed in January 2026. The Government guidance Report the death or serious harm of a child or care leaver was updated to provide what information is needed when reporting incidents involving children who have died or been seriously harmed and abuse or neglect is known or suspected, looked after children and care leavers. The Serious Incident Notification Guide for local authorities was added to this chapter.
Young Carers	In January 2026, information was added from How Local Authorities Can Help Young Carers (Ofsted Blog) and additional resources were added to Further Information.
Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint	This chapter was updated in January 2026, to include information for the Restraint and restrictive practices: positive environments for children - Ofsted: social care.
Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK	This chapter was updated in January 2026, to reflect Granting Leaves of Absence in Working Together to Improve School Attendance statutory guidance, which states that generally, the DfE does not consider a need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation to be an exceptional circumstance for leave of absence.
Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance	In January 2026, links were added to Youth Remand Concordat. Also Guidance and principles to follow a joint approach throughout the youth remand process for local and national partners and Delivering the best for girls in custody - an independent review into placements and care for girls in the Children and Young People Secure Estate.
Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation	This chapter was updated in January 2026, to include information from the Ministry of Justice Youth Remand Concordat. Also information from the Youth Justice Charter - know your rights in the youth justice system was added. The Youth Justice Charter sets out what children can expect at each stage of the youth justice system - helping them understand who does what, what their rights are, and what to do if the standards are not met.
Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services	This chapter was updated in January 2026, to include information from the Ministry of Justice Youth Remand Concordat. Also information from the Youth Justice Charter - know your rights in the youth justice system was added. The Youth Justice Charter sets out what children can expect at each stage of the youth justice system - helping them understand who does what, what their rights are, and what to do if the standards are not met.

2025

July 2025

Allegations Against Foster Carers	This chapter was updated in July 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK. in Section 4.5, Concluding the Investigation.
Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After Children	In July 2025, in Section 2.1, Additional Considerations Where a Child Has Multiple Needs information was added about how to access pre-application advice on caring for children with complex needs (Ofsted) If you are thinking about opening a children’s social care service for children with complex needs.
Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance	In July 2025 links were added to additional sources of guidance.
Kinship Care	In July 2025 this chapter was revised in line with updated government guidance.
Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 Year Olds who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation; and Duty to Refer	In July 2025, information was added to Section 1, From Good Decisions: supporting children aged 16 and 17 who need help when they are homeless - GOV.UK and a section was added around Domestic Abuse and Homelessness.
Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers	This chapter was updated in July 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK. in the Related Guidance Section.
Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters	This chapter was updated in July 2025 with a link to DBS guidance leaflets - GOV.UK in the Related Guidance Section.
Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already Adopted	This chapter was updated in July 2025 with a link to DBS guidance leaflets - GOV.UK in Section 3.4, Concluding the Investigation.

January 2025

Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery	This chapter was refreshed in January 2025.
Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody	This chapter was refreshed in January 2025.
Health and Safety	In January 2025, information was added into Section 9, Accommodation, Bedroom Space and Sharing in relation to bunk beds.
Leaving Care and Transition	In January 2025, updates were made to reflect the Homelessness Code of Guidance - Chapter 22: Care Leavers (updated 3 May 2024) which sets out the expectation that authorities should have in place joint protocols which clearly outline jointly held corporate parenting responsibilities for care leavers. See Section 8, Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leavers.
Ofsted Inspection Framework	In January 2025, a link was added to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.
Young Carers	This chapter was updated in January 2025.
Personal Budgets and Direct Payments	This chapter was refreshed in January 2025.
Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After Children	This chapter was refreshed in January 2025, in line with How Local Authorities and Children’s Homes Can Achieve Stability and Permanence for Children with Complex Needs (Ofsted).
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities	This chapter was refreshed in January 2025.
Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers	In January 2025, information on Ofsted checks was added into Section 5.1, Checks.
Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters	In January 2025, information was added to Section 3, Stage One - The Pre-Assessment Process, with details on how to request information about an applicant from Ofsted.
Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings	This chapter was refreshed in January 2025.
Relinquished Children	This chapter was updated in January 2025.
Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983	This chapter was refreshed in January 2025.
Placement for Adoption	In January 2024, Section 4.2, Procedural Fairness was updated in line with case-law.

2024

July 2024

Children's Services Practice Principles	This chapter was amended in July 2024 to include our Children’s Services Practice Principles. Also, revisions were made in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Applications for Special Guardianship Orders	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Notifications of Significant Events	In Juily 2024, this chapter was updated in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children, to note that notifications should also be made of the death of a care leaver up to and including the age of 24.
Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers	This chapter was added in July 2024.
Visits to Children Supported through a Child Protection Plan	This chapter was amended in July 2024 to update links and reflect changes in expectations regarding frequency of visits to children supported through child protection planning.
Applications for Emergency Protection Orders	This chapter was refreshed in June 2024.
Training and Development of Foster Carers	This chapter was updated in July 2024.
Private Fostering	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Safeguarding Children Practice Reviews	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Whistleblowing	This chapter was amended in July 2024.
Permanence Planning Guidance	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Supervision and Support of Foster Carers	This chapter was updated in July 2024.
Recording Policy and Guidelines	This chapter was refreshed in June 2024.
Equality and Diversity	This chapter was updated in July 2024.
Placements Outside England and Wales	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Out of Area Placements	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Health and Safety	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Placements in Residential Care	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Records for Looked After Children	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship Guidance	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 Year Olds who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation; and Duty to Refer	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Contact with Parents and Siblings	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Complaints and Representations	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Private Law Proceedings: (Section 7 and 37 Reports to Court)	This chapter was updated in July 2024.
Safeguarding Children with Disabilities: Practice Guidance	This chapter was amended in July 2024 to include a link to the Liverpool Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures.
Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing Officers	This chapter was updated in July 2024.
Dispute Resolution and Practice Alert Process	This chapter was updated in July 2024 with a link to the Practice Alert Process Flowchart.
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers	This chapter was updated in July 2024.
Contacts and Referrals	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Advocacy and Independent Visitors	This chapter was updated in July 2024.
Stepping Up and Stepping Down Support when Children Need Change	This chapter was updated in July 2024.
Assessment Service, Duty, Allocation and Closure	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Kinship Care	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Personal Budgets and Direct Payments	This chapter was updated in July 2024.
Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After Child	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Staying Put	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Allegations Against Foster Carers	This chapter was updated in July 2024.
Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Relinquished Children	This chapter was updated in July 2024.
Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement Providers	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Placements with Parents	This chapter was updated in July 2024.
Assessments	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Ceasing to Look After a Child	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Disabled Children's Service	This chapter was updated in July 2024.
Placements with Connected Persons	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Confidentiality Policy	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Placements in Other Arrangements	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After Children	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Death or Serious Harm to a Child Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24	This chapter was amended in July 2024 to update links to external websites. Updates were made in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children. A new Section 3, Death of a Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24 was also added.
Decision to Look After	This chapter was updated in July 2024.
Health Care Assessments and Plans	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations	This chapter was added in July 2024.
Capacity and Consent	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Leaving Care and Transition	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.
Storage of Data on Mobile Devices	This chapter was added in July 2024.
Placement Planning and Disruption Meetings	This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.