Using this Manual
This 'Using this Manual' must be read before accessing the body of the manual.
Please bring any comments or difficulties that you may have to the attention of Janet Armstrong (janet.armstrong@lincolnshire.gov.uk) or by using the contact us button on the left of your screen.
See Section 2, Amendments for details of new and updated chapters.
These procedures use the word ‘must’ where the provision is a legal requirement. The word ‘should’ is used where the provision should be complied with but is not a legal requirement, such as where it is taken from non-statutory government guidance or accepted good practice.
1. Structure of the Manual
This manual contains the policies, procedures and guidance for Lincolnshire Children's Services.
In this version of the manual the principle Children's Services Policy, Values and Principles chapter is supplemented with other policy chapters all of which are contained in Part 1.1 of the manual.
Procedures and Guidance: In an attempt to keep procedures succinct, procedures and more detailed guidance are separated - with links provided as appropriate. 'Procedures' summarise how Managers and Staff must act in given circumstances. 'Guidance' provides direction or advice to a decision or course of action.
This edition of the manual has an integrated Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures. This means that users can click from one manual to the other without having to enter and leave different websites. Links from the Children's Services Manual to the SCP manual can be made without leaving the manual.
This edition is compliant with and contains an interactive copy of Working Together to Safeguard Children.
2. Amendments
This is the current operational version of the manual which has been revised and updated.
Next planned update: December 2024.
Editing this Manual
If you have any queries or suggestions, please contact your Manager.
Amendments Table
3. Local Resources
This manual contains a local resource section which can be accessed via the navigation bar. This library is populated and maintained locally. If there is a resource that you think should be added talk in the first instance to your manager.
4. How to Find a Chapter
Procedures and guidance are located in individual 'Chapters' which are available from a 'traditional' Contents List
4.1 Using the Contents List
Chapters are categorised or grouped together as follows:
PARTS: The manual contains procedures categorised under a number of Service Sectors, like 'Services to Children in Care'.
SECTIONS: Within each Service Sector you will find a Section (group of procedures) like 'Children with Disabilities'.
CHAPTERS: Under each Section, you'll find individual Chapters/Procedures e.g. 'Direct Payments'.
4.2 You can Search for a Chapter
If you aren't sure which part to look in, try 'Search' which will help you identify specific chapters and sub headings within chapters.
5. Terminology
We believe it is crucial to use consistent terminology, which we agree with individual customers, for example: Parent
| 'Home' and 'Resource' | this is a generic term which means Children's Home, Foster Home. |
| 'Child' or 'Young Person' | both these terms are used to mean any child under the age of 18. |
| 'Staff' or 'Carer' | means all Staff and Carers (including) whether employed or not. |
| 'Manager' | means Team Manager, it also means YOT Team Manager. |
| 'Line Manager' | means the first Line Manager of a team/service. |
| 'Parent' | means person with Parental Responsibility. |
| 'Regulatory Authority' | Regulatory Authority is the generic term used in this manual to describe the independent regulatory body responsible for inspecting and regulating services e.g. Regulatory Authority. |
| 'Social Worker' | This means the worker allocated to the child/family. If there is no allocated worker, the Duty Social Worker or Team Manager is responsible. |
6. Glossary and National Contacts
The manual is accessed by readers who may find terms that they are not familiar with. Therefore, a glossary of definitions is available under the resource tab.
There is also a National Contacts resource populated with details of key national agencies and organisations likely to be relevant to procedures user.7. Regulatory Compliance
Every effort has been taken to ensure regulatory compliance. If you discover any errors or mistakes, please alert Janet Armstrong (janet.armstrong@lincolnshire.gov.uk).
8. Register for Updates
Contact Us
If you have any comments or suggestions to make about this manual please contact us by using the button on the top navigation, from anywhere within the manual.
Janet Armstrong (janet.armstrong@lincolnshire.gov.uk)
Register for Updates
We recommend that you register with us to automatically receive notification when this manual is updated, and to receive a monthly newsletter containing articles which may be of interest. Click on the 'Register for Updates' button on the home screen, to complete and send your details to us.
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9. Copyright
The content of this website can be accessed, printed and downloaded in an unaltered form, on a temporary basis, for personal study or reference purposes. Content printed or downloaded may not be sold, licensed, transferred, copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner or in or on any media to any person without the prior written consent of tri.x and Lincolnshire Children's Service.
10. Accessibility
This website aims to achieve Double-A conformance to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines in accordance with government guidelines. In order to change font size or manual colour use the highlighted 'Accessibility' button at the top right hand corner of any page.
11. Printing and Retaining Copies
The Manual is intended to be viewed on line to ensure only the most up-to-date version of procedures are being used. It will be updated regularly so, in the unlikely event there is a requirement for hard copies they should be destroyed after 72 hours.
12. Browser Recommendations
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Recommended browsers are:
- Internet Explorer 11 (Windows 7, 8 and 8.1);
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- Mozilla Firefox;
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13. Mobile/Tablet Compatibility
This manual has been tested on a variety of mobile devices to ensure that it displays correctly. If you are using an older mobile device it is possible that the manual will not display correctly.
If you would like the text to be larger, resize the text under the accessibility options, alternatively if you would also like the buttons and the rest of the layout to be enlarged you can use the zoom function within your browser.
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