Contents

1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

1. 1.1.1Children's Services Practice PrinciplesJuly 30, 2024
2. 1.1.2Children's Consultation and ParticipationJanuary 14, 2026
3. 1.1.3Practice StandardsAugust 7, 2024
4. 1.1.4Equality and DiversityJuly 30, 2024
5. 1.1.5Customer Care StandardsJuly 30, 2024

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

1. 1.2.1Family Help AssessmentJuly 7, 2025
2. 1.2.2Capacity and ConsentJuly 7, 2025
3. 1.2.3Responding to Need Guidance and Levels of Need FrameworkJuly 30, 2024
4. 1.2.4Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)

1.3Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

1. 1.3.1Managing Individual Cases Where there are Concerns about Child’s Safety and WelfareJuly 30, 2024
2. 1.3.2Contacts and ReferralsJuly 7, 2025
3. 1.3.3AssessmentsJuly 7, 2025
4. 1.3.4Assessment Service, Duty, Allocation and ClosureJuly 30, 2024
5. 1.3.5Single Assessments (Including Section 47 Enquiries) July 30, 2024
6. 1.3.6Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)July 30, 2024
7. 1.3.7Visits to Children Supported through a Child Protection PlanJuly 30, 2024
8. 1.3.8Stepping Up and Stepping Down Support when Children Need ChangeJuly 30, 2024
9. 1.3.9North West Transfer and Moving Across Boundaries ProceduresJuly 30, 2024
10. 1.3.10Concerns about the Welfare of Unborn ChildrenJanuary 14, 2025
11. 1.3.11Liverpool Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures

1.4Child in Need

1. 1.4.1Child in Need Plans and ReviewsJanuary 14, 2025

1.5Legal Proceedings

1. 1.5.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersJuly 30, 2024
2. 1.5.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law OutlineJanuary 14, 2026
3. 1.5.3Legal Gateway/Planning MeetingsMarch 18, 2024
4. 1.5.4Private Law Proceedings: (Section 7 and 37 Reports to Court)January 14, 2025
5. 1.5.5Disclosure of Information between Family and Criminal Agencies and Jurisdictions: 2024 Protocol
6. 1.5.6Cross-border child protection cases: the 1996 Hague Convention (DfE)
7. 1.5.7Family 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 RepresentationsJuly 30, 2024
2. 1.6.2WhistleblowingJuly 30, 2024

1.7Notifications

1. 1.7.1Death or Serious Harm to a Child Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24
   Updated
   January 14, 2026

2.Case Management and Recording

1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesJuly 30, 2024
2. 2.0.2Records for Looked After ChildrenJuly 30, 2024
3. 2.0.3Access to Records/Subject Access RequestsJanuary 14, 2025
4. 2.0.4Confidentiality PolicyJuly 30, 2024
5. 2.0.5Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsJuly 30, 2024
6. 2.0.6Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffFebruary 7, 2024
7. 2.0.7Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesJanuary 14, 2025

3.Children in Particular Circumstances

3.1Children with Disabilities and Complex Health Needs

1. 3.1.1Disabled Children's ServiceJuly 7, 2025
2. 3.1.2Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesJanuary 14, 2026
3. 3.1.3Personal Budgets and Direct PaymentsJanuary 14, 2026
4. 3.1.4Short Breaks - Disabled Children's ServiceJanuary 14, 2026
5. 3.1.5Safeguarding Children with Disabilities: Practice GuidanceJuly 30, 2024
6. 3.1.6Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsJanuary 14, 2026
7. 3.1.7Transitional ProtocolJanuary 14, 2026
8. 3.1.8Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkJanuary 14, 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 SlaveryJanuary 14, 2025
2. 3.3.2Families with No Recourse to Public FundsJuly 7, 2025

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 ReferJuly 7, 2025

3.5Family and Friends Care

1. 3.5.1Kinship CareJanuary 14, 2026
2. 3.5.2Private FosteringJanuary 14, 2025

3.6Young Carers

1. 3.6.1Young Carers
   Updated
   January 14, 2026

3.7Relinquished Children

1. 3.7.1Relinquished ChildrenJanuary 14, 2025

3.8Mental Health

1. 3.8.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983January 14, 2025

3.9Safeguarding

1. 3.9.1Pan Merseyside Multi-Agency Child Exploitation ProtocolJuly 30, 2024
2. 3.9.2Children who abuse OthersJuly 30, 2024
3. 3.9.3Children whose Behaviour Indicates a Lack of Parental ControlJuly 30, 2024
4. 3.9.4Liverpool Missing Children PolicyJuly 30, 2024
5. 3.9.5Safeguarding Children Practice ReviewsJuly 30, 2024
6. 3.9.6Children of Drug/Alcohol Misusing ParentsJuly 30, 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 14, 2026
2. 4.1.2Decision to Look AfterJanuary 14, 2025
3. 4.1.3Care PlanningJuly 25, 2023
4. 4.1.4Ceasing to Look After a ChildJanuary 14, 2025
5. 4.1.5Permanence Planning GuidanceJanuary 14, 2025
6. 4.1.6Care Planning Meetings for Looked After ChildrenJuly 30, 2024
7. 4.1.7Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsJuly 30, 2024
8. 4.1.8Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children
   Updated
   January 14, 2026
9. 4.1.9Risk Assessment and PlanningJanuary 14, 2026
10. 4.1.10Providing Personalised CareMarch 23, 2022
11. 4.1.11NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People

4.2Placements

1. 4.2.1Placements with ParentsJuly 30, 2024
2. 4.2.2Placements with Connected PersonsJuly 30, 2024
3. 4.2.3Placements in Foster CareUnder Review
4. 4.2.4Placements in Residential CareJanuary 14, 2025
5. 4.2.5Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsJuly 30, 2024
6. 4.2.6Out of Area PlacementsJanuary 14, 2026
7. 4.2.7Placements Outside England and WalesJuly 30, 2024
8. 4.2.8Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation
   Updated
   January 14, 2026
9. 4.2.9Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersJuly 30, 2024
10. 4.2.10Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersJuly 30, 2024
11. 4.2.11Placements in Other ArrangementsJuly 30, 2024
12. 4.2.12Health and SafetyJanuary 14, 2025

4.3Monitoring and Reviews

1. 4.3.1Social Worker Visits to Looked After ChildrenJuly 30, 2024
2. 4.3.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsJuly 30, 2024
3. 4.3.3Looked After ReviewsJuly 7, 2025
4. 4.3.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersJuly 30, 2024
5. 4.3.5Dispute Resolution and Practice Alert ProcessJuly 30, 2024
6. 4.3.6Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsFebruary 7, 2022
7. 4.3.7Notifications of Significant EventsJanuary 14, 2026

4.4Contact and Overnight Stays

1. 4.4.1Contact with Parents and SiblingsJuly 7, 2025
2. 4.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)July 30, 2024
3. 4.4.3Supervised Family Time GuidanceJuly 30, 2024
4. 4.4.4Supervised Family Time ServiceJuly 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 30, 2024
2. 4.5.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK
   Updated
   January 14, 2026
3. 4.5.3Leisure ActivitiesJanuary 14, 2026

4.6Health and Wellbeing

1. 4.6.1Health Care Assessments and PlansJuly 30, 2024
2. 4.6.2Personal Care and RelationshipsJanuary 14, 2026
3. 4.6.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour Support
   Updated
   January 14, 2026
4. 4.6.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint
   Updated
   January 14, 2026
5. 4.6.5Looked After Children Who Have Their Own FundsJuly 30, 2024

4.7Change of Name and Marriage/Civil Partnership

1. 4.7.1Change of Name of a Looked After ChildJuly 30, 2024
2. 4.7.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After ChildJuly 30, 2024

4.8Leaving Care and Transition

1. 4.8.1Leaving Care and TransitionJanuary 14, 2025
2. 4.8.2Staying PutJanuary 14, 2026

4.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

1. 4.9.1Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services
   Updated
   January 14, 2026
2. 4.9.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in CustodyJanuary 14, 2026
3. 4.9.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance
   Updated
   January 14, 2026

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 CarersJuly 7, 2025
4. 5.1.4Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalJuly 26, 2022
5. 5.1.5Supervision and Support of Foster CarersJuly 30, 2024
6. 5.1.6Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersJuly 30, 2024
7. 5.1.7Allegations Against Foster CarersJuly 7, 2025
8. 5.1.8Fostering Services Non-Smoking PolicyJanuary 14, 2026
9. 5.1.9Training and Development of Foster CarersJuly 30, 2024

5.2Adoption and Permanence Services

1. 5.2.1Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective AdoptersJuly 7, 2025
2. 5.2.2Adoption PanelJuly 30, 2024
3. 5.2.3Placement for AdoptionJuly 7, 2025
4. 5.2.4Adoption Support
   Updated
   January 14, 2026
5. 5.2.5Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsOctober 31, 2023
6. 5.2.6Adoption ReviewsJuly 26, 2022
7. 5.2.7Disruption of Adoptive PlacementsJanuary 14, 2025
8. 5.2.8Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already AdoptedJuly 7, 2025
9. 5.2.9Inter Country AdoptionJanuary 14, 2025
10. 5.2.10Non Agency AdoptionJuly 30, 2024
11. 5.2.11Adoption Case RecordsJuly 30, 2024
12. 5.2.12Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case RecordsJuly 26, 2022
13. 5.2.13Intermediary ServicesJuly 30, 2024
14. 5.2.14Life Story Books GuidanceJuly 30, 2024
15. 5.2.15Later Life LettersJuly 30, 2024
16. 5.2.16Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective AdoptersJuly 30, 2024
17. 5.2.17Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere

5.3Special Guardianship

1. 5.3.1Applications for Special Guardianship Orders
   Updated
   January 14, 2026
2. 5.3.2Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceJuly 30, 2024

6.Contacts, List of Agency Decision Makers and Appendices

1. 6.0.1List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated OfficersAugust 7, 2024
2. 6.0.2Ofsted Inspection FrameworkJanuary 14, 2025
3. 6.0.3Working Together to Safeguard Children