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Note: in Sunderland, we use the term 'Cared For Children'. 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

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

  1. 1.1.1Our Strategy and the Values and Principles of Together for ChildrenDecember 19, 2023
  2. 1.1.2Confidentiality PolicyNovember 5, 2024
  3. 1.1.3Consultation PolicyJanuary 3, 2024
  4. 1.1.4Practice Standards for Effective Intervention with Children and FamiliesNovember 5, 2024
  5. 1.1.5Capacity and ConsentJanuary 3, 2024
  6. 1.1.6Equality and DiversityJuly 25, 2022

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

  1. 1.2.1Early Help and Threshold Guidance
  2. 1.2.2Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)

1.3Children's Social Care - Assessment and Planning

  1. 1.3.1Contacts and ReferralsMay 14, 2024
  2. 1.3.2AssessmentsNovember 5, 2024
  3. 1.3.3Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)May 14, 2024
  4. 1.3.4Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkNovember 5, 2024
  5. 1.3.5Thresholds

1.4Court Proceedings

  1. 1.4.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersMay 14, 2024
  2. 1.4.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law OutlineNovember 5, 2024
  3. 1.4.3Legal Planning/Gateway MeetingsMay 14, 2024
  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. 1.4.5Family 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 (Looked After, Child In Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24)May 14, 2024
  2. 1.5.2Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual ExploitationNovember 5, 2024
  3. 1.5.3Child Safety Online: A Practical Guide for Parents and Carers whose Children are Using Social Media

1.6Complaints and Whistleblowing

  1. 1.6.1Complaints and RepresentationsMay 14, 2025
  2. 1.6.2Whistleblowing to Ofsted about Children's Social Care Services

1.7Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty

  1. 1.7.1Mental Capacity
  2. 1.7.2Deprivation of Liberty

2.Case Management and Recording

  1. 2.0.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesNovember 5, 2024
  2. 2.0.2Case Records and RetentionJanuary 3, 2024
  3. 2.0.3Access to Records/Subject Access RequestsMay 14, 2025
  4. 2.0.4Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsMay 14, 2024
  5. 2.0.5Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesMay 14, 2025
  6. 2.0.6Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffMay 14, 2024

3.Prevention and Family Support

  1. 3.0.1Child in Need Plans and ReviewsNovember 5, 2024
  2. 3.0.2Private FosteringJanuary 3, 2024
  3. 3.0.3Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Suitable Accommodation for 16-17-year OldsJanuary 3, 2024
  4. 3.0.4Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingNovember 5, 2024

4.Children in Particular Circumstances

4.1Children with Disabilities

  1. 4.1.1Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
    Updated
    May 14, 2025
  2. 4.1.2Personal Budgets and Direct PaymentsNovember 5, 2024
  3. 4.1.3Short BreaksNovember 5, 2024
  4. 4.1.4The Management of Disability Benefits - Children Looked AfterJanuary 3, 2024
  5. 4.1.5Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings
    Updated
    May 14, 2025
  6. 4.1.6Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkNovember 5, 2024

4.2Children from Abroad

  1. 4.2.1Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern SlaveryMay 14, 2025
  2. 4.2.2Families with No Recourse to Public FundsJanuary 3, 2024

4.3Young Carers

  1. 4.3.1Young CarersJanuary 3, 2024

4.4Mental Health

  1. 4.4.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983November 5, 2024

5.Looked After Children

5.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

  1. 5.1.1Decision to Look AfterNovember 5, 2024
  2. 5.1.2Care PlanningMay 14, 2024
  3. 5.1.3Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Cared For Children
    Updated
    May 14, 2025
  4. 5.1.4Early Permanence Planning StrategyJanuary 3, 2024
  5. 5.1.5Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsMay 14, 2024
  6. 5.1.6Placements in Foster CareNovember 5, 2024
  7. 5.1.7Placements in Residential CareMay 14, 2024
  8. 5.1.8Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention AccommodationMay 14, 2024
  9. 5.1.9Out of Area PlacementsJanuary 3, 2024
  10. 5.1.10Placements with Connected PersonsMay 14, 2024
  11. 5.1.11Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsNovember 5, 2024
  12. 5.1.12Placements with ParentsJanuary 3, 2024
  13. 5.1.13Placements Outside England and WalesJanuary 3, 2024
  14. 5.1.14Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersJanuary 3, 2024
  15. 5.1.15Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersJanuary 3, 2024
  16. 5.1.16Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Cared For ChildrenJanuary 3, 2024
  17. 5.1.17Ceasing to Look After a ChildNovember 5, 2024
  18. 5.1.18Placements in Other ArrangementsMay 14, 2024
  19. 5.1.19Risk Assessment and PlanningDecember 19, 2023
  20. 5.1.20Providing Personalised CareDecember 19, 2023
  21. 5.1.21Health and Safety
    Updated
    May 14, 2025
  22. 5.1.22NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People
  23. 5.1.23My Things Matter

5.2Monitoring and Reviews

  1. 5.2.1Social Worker Visits to Cared For ChildrenJanuary 3, 2024
  2. 5.2.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsJanuary 3, 2024
  3. 5.2.3Looked After ReviewsMay 14, 2025
  4. 5.2.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersJanuary 3, 2024
  5. 5.2.5Consortium Policy and Procedure for Secure Accommodation ReviewsJanuary 3, 2024
  6. 5.2.6Notifications of Significant EventsMay 14, 2024
  7. 5.2.7Need To Know/Notification PolicyJanuary 3, 2024

5.3Contact and Overnight Stays

  1. 5.3.1Contact with Parents and SiblingsJanuary 3, 2024
  2. 5.3.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)January 3, 2024

5.4Education, School Trips and Holidays

  1. 5.4.1Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UKJanuary 3, 2024
  2. 5.4.2Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After ChildrenNovember 5, 2024
  3. 5.4.3Leisure ActivitiesDecember 19, 2023

5.5Health and Wellbeing

  1. 5.5.1Health Care Assessments and PlansNovember 5, 2024
  2. 5.5.2Personal Care and Physical Contact with ChildrenDecember 19, 2023
  3. 5.5.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour ManagementMarch 17, 2023
  4. 5.5.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and RestraintJuly 26, 2022

5.6Identity

  1. 5.6.1Change of Name of a Cared For ChildDecember 19, 2023
  2. 5.6.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Cared For ChildDecember 19, 2023

5.7Leaving Care and Transition

  1. 5.7.1Leaving Care and Transition
    Updated
    May 14, 2025
  2. 5.7.2Staying PutJanuary 3, 2024
  3. 5.7.3Transition To Adulthood (Leaving Care) Financial Policy, Procedure And GuidanceJanuary 3, 2024
  4. 5.7.4Guidance on The Roles and Responsibilities of Leaving Care Personal AdvisersJanuary 3, 2024
  5. 5.7.5Case Transfer from Safeguarding to Leaving Care ServiceJanuary 3, 2024
  6. 5.7.6Life Skills Assessment and Pathway Planning ChecklistJanuary 3, 2024
  7. 5.7.7Preparation for Independence Strategy and ContextJanuary 3, 2024
  8. 5.7.8'Other Arrangements' and 'Suitable Accommodation'January 3, 2024
  9. 5.7.9Reviewing Care and Pathway Plans for Eligible, Relevant, Former Relevant and Qualifying ChildrenJanuary 3, 2024
  10. 5.7.10Ceasing to Look After a ChildNovember 5, 2024
  11. 5.7.11Documents Library - contains additional information on Leaving Care and Staying Put, this includes information such as forms, leaflets and pro-forma letters.

5.8Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

  1. 5.8.1Cared for Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice ServicesNovember 5, 2024
  2. 5.8.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Cared for Children and Young People in CustodyJanuary 3, 2024
  3. 5.8.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance
    Updated
    May 14, 2025

6.Fostering and Adoption

6.1Fostering Services

  1. 6.1.1Fostering Statement of PurposeJanuary 3, 2024
  2. 6.1.2Fostering PanelDecember 19, 2023
  3. 6.1.3Persons Disqualified from FosteringJanuary 3, 2024
  4. 6.1.4Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers
    Updated
    May 14, 2025
  5. 6.1.5Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalJanuary 3, 2024
  6. 6.1.6Supervision and Support of Foster CarersDecember 19, 2023
  7. 6.1.7Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersJanuary 3, 2024
  8. 6.1.8Allegations Against Foster Carers
    Updated
    May 14, 2025
  9. 6.1.9Training and Development of Foster CarersMarch 23, 2022

6.2Adoption and Permanence

  1. 6.2.1Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Prospective AdoptersMay 14, 2025
  2. 6.2.2Adoption Panel Constitution and Terms of ReferenceJanuary 3, 2024
  3. 6.2.3Placement for AdoptionJanuary 3, 2024
  4. 6.2.4Adoption SupportNovember 5, 2024
  5. 6.2.5Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsNovember 5, 2024
  6. 6.2.6Adoption ReviewsJanuary 3, 2024
  7. 6.2.7Disruption of Adoptive PlacementsNovember 28, 2023
  8. 6.2.8Allegations Against Prospective Adopters and in Relation to Children Placed for Adoption or Already AdoptedDecember 19, 2023
  9. 6.2.9Inter Country AdoptionNovember 5, 2024
  10. 6.2.10Non Agency AdoptionNovember 5, 2024
  11. 6.2.11Adoption Case RecordsJanuary 3, 2024
  12. 6.2.12Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case RecordsJanuary 3, 2024
  13. 6.2.13Intermediary ServicesJanuary 3, 2024
  14. 6.2.14Applications for Special Guardianship OrdersMay 14, 2024
  15. 6.2.15Special Guardianship Support PolicyJanuary 3, 2024
  16. 6.2.16Court Reports in Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceMay 14, 2024
  17. 6.2.17Life Story Books GuidanceNovember 5, 2024
  18. 6.2.18Later Life LettersNovember 5, 2024
  19. 6.2.19Early Permanence: Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective AdoptersDecember 20, 2023
  20. 6.2.20Relinquished ChildrenNovember 5, 2024

7.Appendices, Local Contacts and List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated Officers

  1. 7.0.1Local ContactsJanuary 3, 2024
  2. 7.0.2List of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated OfficersDecember 19, 2023
  3. 7.0.3Ofsted Inspection Framework
    Updated
    May 14, 2025
  4. 7.0.4Working Together to Safeguard Children
  5. 7.0.5Amendments

Last Updated: November 5, 2024

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