Lincolnshire Children's Services Procedures Manual


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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. Services to Children in Need
  3. Services to Children in Care
  4. Children Involved in the Youth Justice System
  5. Guidance
  6. Appendices


1. All Children

Caption: section 1 contents
   

1.1

Introduction and Policy Framework

  
1.1.1 Introduction  
1.1.2 Using this Manual  
1.1.3 Children's Services Policy, Values and Principles  
1.1.4 Lincolnshire County Council Safeguarding Children Policy  
1.1.5 Children's Services Health and Safety  
1.1.6 Equality and Diversity  
1.1.7 Lincolnshire County Council's Information Sharing Policy  
1.1.8 Children in Care and Care Leavers Strategy  
1.1.9 Safe Care Policy  
1.1.10 Kinship Care Updated
1.1.11 Suicide and Self Harm Policy  
1.1.12 Domestic Abuse Policy  
1.1.13 Capacity and Consent  
1.1.14 Family Networks and Family Group Decision Making  


 

1.2

Assessment and Planning

  
1.2.1 Initial Contact and Referrals  
1.2.2 Early Help and TAC Process  
1.2.3 Child and Family Assessment Process  
  See also: Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)  
1.2.4 Extremist Radicalisation Policy - under review  
1.2.5 Strategy Discussions
(Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Policy and Procedures)		  
1.2.6 Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline Updated
  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: Pan Sussex Section 7 Template  
1.2.7 Legal Gateway/Planning Meetings  
1.2.8 Transfer and Allocation Procedure  
1.2.9 Post Placement Arrangements  
1.2.10 Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children Procedure  
1.2.11 Support Panel Procedure  
1.2.12 Working with Foreign Authorities in Child Protection Cases  
1.2.13 Families with No Recourse to Public Funds  
1.2.14 Supervision Orders  


 

1.3

Case Records

  
1.3.1 New Information on an Open Case  
1.3.2 Case Closure  
1.3.3 Supervision Policy and Procedure  
1.3.4 Quality Audit Procedure  
1.3.5 Case Review Protocol  
1.3.6 Access to Records / Subject Access Requests  
1.3.7 Retention of Documentation and Destruction of Files  
1.3.8 Case Management Protocol (Children with Disabilities)  
1.3.9 Casework Procedures for Children's Social Care Supervised Students  
1.3.10 Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding Staff  
1.3.11 Storage of Data on Mobile Devices  


 

1.4

Voice of the Child

  
1.4.1 Children's Services Complaints  
1.4.2 Representation, Advocacy and Children's Rights  
1.4.3 Children's Consultation and Participation  


 

1.5

Miscellaneous

  
1.5.1 Child Protection Information Sharing (CP-IS) Guidance for Social Care  
1.5.2 Activities and Transporting Children  
1.5.3 Discontinuation of Child Protection Plan  
1.5.4 Insurance Claims and Ex Gratia Payments  
1.5.5 Children's Services Transport Procedure  
1.5.6 Guidance on Determining Which Local Authority is Responsible for a Child  
1.5.7 Joint Protocol for Missing Children and Young People
(Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures)		  


2. Services to Children in Need

Caption: section 2 contents
   

2.1

Procedures

  
2.1.1 Child and Family Progress Plans and Meetings  
2.1.2 Child and Family Progress Meetings for Children with Disability (CWD)  
2.1.3 Financial Assistance  
2.1.4 Private Fostering  
2.1.5 Residence Order/Child Arrangements Order Procedure  
2.1.6 Residence Order/Child Arrangements Order Allowances - Children's Financial Review  
2.1.7 Short Term Breaks - Care for Disabled Children  
2.1.8 Medication Procedure for Short Break Homes  
2.1.9 Family Group Conferences - Service Specification  
2.1.10 Family Time Service Updated


 

2.2

Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

  
2.2.1 Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Updated
2.2.2 Direct Payments  
2.2.3 Transitional Needs  
2.2.4 Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND) Local Offer  
2.2.5 Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential Settings Updated
2.2.6 Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National Framework  


 

2.3

Deprivation of Liberty and Mental Capacity

  
2.3.1 Deprivation of Liberty  
  See also: DOLS Application Process Flowchart  
2.3.2 The Mental Capacity Act 2005  

2.4

Young Carers

 
2.4.1 Young Carers  


3. Services to Children in Care

Caption: section 3 contents
   

3.1

Planning for Children in Care

  
3.1.1 Ceasing to Look After a Child  
3.1.2 Decision to Look After and Care Planning  
3.1.3 Permanence Planning Strategy  
3.1.4 Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers  
3.1.5 Early Permanence: Foster to Adopt Placements, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters  
3.1.6 Risk Assessment and Planning  
3.1.7 Providing Personalised Care  
  See also: NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People  


 

3.2

Placements 

  
3.2.1 Emergency Foster Placement  
3.2.2 Placement Plans  
3.2.3 Placements in Residential Care  
3.2.4 Placements in the Independent Non-Maintained Sector  
3.2.5 Placements in Other Arrangements  
3.2.6 Placements with Parents  
3.2.7 Reunification Policy and Procedure  
3.2.8 Placements with Connected Person Under Regulation 24 Updated
3.2.9 Parent and Child Foster Care Placement  
3.2.10 Funding of Kinship Care Placements  
3.2.11 Notification by Other Local Authorities / Placement Providers of Children Placed within Lincolnshire  
3.2.12 Notification to Other Authorities of Children Placed Out of County  
3.2.13 Placements Outside England and Wales  
3.2.14 Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds  
3.2.15 Placement for Permanent Fostering  
3.2.16 Support for Permanent / Long Term Fostering Placements  
3.2.17 Crisis & Unregistered Placement Guidance  
3.2.18 Health and Safety  


 

3.3

Reviews and Independent Reviewing Officers

  
3.3.1 The Review of the Child's Plan for Children in Care  
3.3.2 The Review of the Placement Plan (Child in Care)  
3.3.3 Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews  
3.3.4 The Role and Expectations of the Independent Reviewing Officers  
3.3.5 Quality Assurance Process - Positive Challenge and Formal Escalation  


 

3.4

Behaviour Management

  
3.4.1 Children and Young People who are Missing  
  Please refer to: Joint Protocol for Missing Children and Young People
(Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures)		  
3.4.2 Behaviour Management Plans  
3.4.3 Physical Intervention and Restraint  
3.4.4 Sanctions  


 

3.5

Education and Recreation

  
3.5.1 Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, Looked After and Previously Looked After Children Updated
3.5.2 Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK  
3.5.3 Leisure Activities  
3.5.4 Correspondence, Communication and Social Networking  


 

3.6

Health and Wellbeing

  
3.6.1 Death or Serious Injury to a Child in Care, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and including the Age of 24 Updated
3.6.2 Drugs and Substance Misuse  
3.6.3 General Practitioners, Dentists and Opticians  
3.6.4 Health Care Assessments and Health Plans  
3.6.5 Infestations  
3.6.6 Self Harming  
3.6.7 HIV/AIDS  
3.6.8 Nutrition and Diet  
3.6.9 Sexual Health and Relationships Guidance  
3.6.10 Child and Family Service, Children in Care Service, Operational Policy  
3.6.11 Mental Health Act Section 117 Aftercare for Children and Young People New
3.6.12 Section 117 Aftercare Joint Agency Procedures and Guidance for Children and young people’s services New


 

3.7

Family Contacts

  
3.7.1 Contact with Parents and Siblings  
3.7.2 Contact with Relatives and Friends  
3.7.3 Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)  
3.7.4 Child Contact with Adult in Custody  
3.7.5 Spending One-to-One Time Alone with Children (Residential)  


 

3.8

Foster Carers

  
3.8.1 Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers Updated
3.8.2 References and Checks Guidance  
3.8.3 Fostering Panel  
3.8.4 Matching Children with Foster Carers Policy  
3.8.5 Limit on the Number of Children in a Foster Home, Exemptions and Extensions of Approval  
3.8.6 Persons Disqualified from Fostering  
3.8.7 Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers  
3.8.8 Supervision of Foster Carers  
3.8.9 Training of Foster Carers  
3.8.10 Support for Foster Carers Facing Allegations  
3.8.11 Risk Assessments when Placing Children in Foster Care  
3.8.12 Staying Put Procedure Updated
3.8.13 CoramBAAF Guidance on Smoking in Family Placements  
3.8.14 Whistleblowing - Foster Carers  
3.8.15 Respite Policy for Foster Carers and Children Looked After  
3.8.16 Education Policy for Foster Carers  
3.8.17 Transfer of Foster Carers Protocol England (2014) (reissued 2015)  
3.8.18 Training and Development of Foster Carers  


 

3.9

Adoption and Special Guardianship

  
3.9.1 Special Guardianship Orders - under review  
3.9.2 Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Adopters Updated
3.9.3 Adoption Panel  
3.9.4 Placement for Adoption Updated
3.9.5 Relinquished Children  
3.9.6 Supervision of Adoptive Placements  
3.9.7 Adoption Case Records  
3.9.8 Access to Birth and Adoption Case Records  
3.9.9 Adoption Support  
3.9.10 Disruption Meeting Procedure  
3.9.11 Prospective Adopters Attending Panel  
3.9.12 Non Agency Adoptions  
3.9.13 Arrangements for Children's Guardians to attend meetings of the Adoption Panel  
3.9.14 Court Reports in Adoption/Special Guardianship  
3.9.15 Inter Country Adoption  
3.9.16 Direct Placement Scheme - Adoption Services  
3.9.17 Managing Allegations in Respect of Children Placed for Adoption, Children Receiving Adoption Support Services, Adopters Awaiting Placement or Allegations of Historical Abuse  
3.9.18 Foster Carer's Who Wish to Adopt the Child they are Fostering  
3.9.19 Disaster Recovery Plan for Adoption Services  
3.9.20 Education Policy for Adoptive Carers and Children for Whom the Plan is Adoption  
  See also: Adoption Strategy: Achieving Excellence Everywhere  


 

3.10

Leaving Care

  
  Leaving Care Charter  
3.10.1 Leaving Care and Transition  


 

3.11

Incidents

  
3.11.1 Barricading  
3.11.2 Contacting the Police  
3.11.3 Countering Bullying  
3.11.4 Searching Children and their Belongings  


 

3.12

Monitoring Quality

  
3.12.1 Visits to Children  
3.12.2 Advocacy and Independent Visitors  
3.12.3 Monitoring and Review of Homes  
3.12.4 Notifications of Significant Events Updated
3.12.5 Friends and Visitors Procedure - Children's Homes  
3.12.6 Child Trust Funds and Junior Individual Savings Accounts for Looked After Children  


 

3.13

Privacy and Personal Care

  
3.13.1 Children's Bedrooms  
3.13.2 Hair and Skin Care  
3.13.3 Physical Contact and Intimate Care  
3.13.4 Pocket Money and Allowances  
3.13.5 Spiritual Development  
3.13.6 Telephones, Mobile Phones and Letters  


 

3.14

Miscellaneous

  
3.14.1 Change of Name  
3.14.2 Marriage/Civil Partnership  
3.14.3 Children Accommodated by Health Authorities  
3.14.4 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority – Claims for Children in Care  
3.14.5 Lincolnshire Secure Unit  


4. Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

Caption: section 4 contents
   
4.1 Youth Justice Guidance for Practitioners  
4.2 Children in Care and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services  
4.3 Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation  
4.4 Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Children in Care and Young People in Custody  
4.5 Police and Criminal Evidence Act (Section 38) and Provision of Local Authority Accommodation  
4.6 Lincolnshire Joint Working Protocol - Provision of Appropriate Adults for Children and Young People  
4.7 Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance Updated


5. Guidance

Caption: section 5 contents
   

5.1

Chapters

  
5.1.1 Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management  
5.1.2 Consents  
5.1.3 Bullying  
5.1.4 Education  
5.1.5 First Aid, Home Remedies and Prescribed Medicines  
5.1.6 HIV/AIDS Guidance  
5.1.7 Blood Borne Viruses  
5.1.8 Incidents  
5.1.9 Life Story Work  
5.1.10 Nutrition, Diet and Mealtimes  
5.1.11 Placement Plans Guidance  
5.1.12 Private Foster Carers  
5.1.13 Touch  
5.1.14 Written Agreements  
5.1.15 Recording with Care Guidance  
5.1.16 Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations  
5.1.17 Critical Incident Handbook  
5.1.18 Employee Support in Critical Incidents  
5.1.19 Guidance and Process for Supported Childcare  
5.1.20 Health and Safety Guidance  
5.1.21 Health and Safety Risk Assessment and Recording  
5.1.22 Managing Risk in Meetings  
5.1.23 Flagging Procedure for Individuals Who Pose a Risk to Children  
5.1.24 Emergency Duty Team  


 

5.2

Protocols

  
5.2.1 East Midlands Region Children's Social Care Regional Protocols  
5.2.2 Lincolnshire Duty to Refer Protocol  
5.2.3 Protocol for Transition from Children's Services to Adult Housing Related Support and (Semi) Independent Living for people over 18 Updated
5.2.4 Lincolnshire Youth Homelessness Joint Working Protocol  
5.2.5 Children and Young People's Accommodation Pathway  
5.2.6 Protocol for Transition from Children's Services to Adult Housing Related Support and (Semi) Independent Living  
5.2.7 Homeless Families with Children Protocol  
5.2.8 Information Sharing Agreement (ISA) between Lincolnshire County Council Children’s Services and Lincolnshire Police Updated
5.2.9 Lincolnshire Children's Services and Police Protocol on Managing Domestic Abuse Notifications and Referrals  
5.2.10 Joint Protocol with CAFCASS  
5.2.11 Joint Protocol: MAPPA and MARAC  
5.2.12 Promoting Health and Wellbeing of Children in Care Protocol  
5.2.13 Information Sharing Agreement with Lincolnshire Community Services, Health Visitors and Lincolnshire County Council, Children's Centres  
5.2.14 Protocol for the Use of Social Care Data shared with Children's Centres  
5.2.15 Raising Concerns about a Vulnerable Child or Adult at Risk Joint Protocol for Children's Services and Adult Social Care  
5.2.16 Elective Home Education Protocol  
5.2.17 Pre-Birth Protocol
(Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures)		  
5.2.18 Protocol for Transition from Special to Mainstream  


6. Appendices

Caption: section 6 contents
   
6.1 Local Contact Details  
6.2 Local Keywords  
6.3 Ofsted Inspection Framework Updated
6.4 Working Together to Safeguard Children  
6.5 Safeguarding Disabled Children Practice Guidance (DCSF 2009)  
6.6 Standard Symbols for Genograms  
6.7 The Young Persons' Guide to the Children and Families Act, DfE 2014  
6.8 Amendments