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Working Together To Safeguard Children 2026 Update.

The Mental Health Act 2025 Reforms.

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1.All Children

1.1Policy, Values and Principles

  1. 1.1.1Children's Services Policies, Values and Principles March 4, 2025
  2. 1.1.2Children's Consultation and ParticipationMarch 4, 2025
  3. 1.1.3Providing Personalised CareMarch 23, 2022
  4. 1.1.4Equality and DiversityJuly 25, 2022
  5. 1.1.5Capacity and ConsentJune 24, 2025
  6. 1.1.6Scheme of DelegationMarch 4, 2025
  7. 1.1.7Ofsted Inspection FrameworkAugust 20, 2024

1.2Case File Management

  1. 1.2.1Recording Policy and GuidelinesSeptember 19, 2023
  2. 1.2.2Case Records and RetentionJanuary 16, 2025
  3. 1.2.3Access to Records/Subject Access RequestsNovember 27, 2024
  4. 1.2.4Confidentiality PolicyMay 21, 2024
  5. 1.2.5Electronic Recording of Meetings and ConversationsSeptember 19, 2023
  6. 1.2.6Storage of Data on Mobile DevicesNovember 27, 2024
  7. 1.2.7Use of Social Media Sites by Social Care and Safeguarding StaffSeptember 19, 2023

1.3Complaints and Whistleblowing

  1. 1.3.1Complaints and RepresentationsMarch 4, 2025
  2. 1.3.2Whistleblowing PolicyMarch 4, 2025

1.4Early Help and Thresholds for Children's Social Care Services

  1. 1.4.1Prevention and Early HelpMarch 4, 2025
  2. 1.4.2Continuum of Need and Risk Identification ToolMarch 4, 2025
  3. 1.4.3Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)

1.5Notifications

  1. 1.5.1Death or Serious Harm to a Child, Looked After, Child in Need or Care Leaver Up to and Including the Age of 24
    Updated
    January 6, 2026

2.Contacts and Referrals

  1. 2.0.1Contacts and ReferralsMarch 4, 2025
  2. 2.0.2AssessmentsJune 24, 2025

3.Children in Need

  1. 3.0.1Child in Need Plans and ReviewsMarch 4, 2025

4.Child Protection

  1. 4.0.1Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)March 4, 2025
  2. 4.0.2Guidance for Notifying the Deputy Director (Children's) of Serious Incidents or Significant EventsMarch 4, 2025
  3. 4.0.3West Yorkshire Consortium Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures, Child Protection Enquiries - Section 47 Children Act 1989 Procedures

5.Pre Proceedings and Court Work

  1. 5.0.1Applications for Emergency Protection OrdersMarch 4, 2025
  2. 5.0.2Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law OutlineJune 23, 2022
  3. 5.0.3Legal Gateway PanelMarch 4, 2025
  4. 5.0.4Legal Gateway MeetingsMarch 4, 2025
  5. 5.0.5Disclosure of Information between Family and Criminal Agencies and Jurisdictions: 2024 Protocol
  6. 5.0.6Cross-border child protection cases: the 1996 Hague Convention (DfE)
  7. 5.0.7Family 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.

6.Children in Care

6.1Decision to Look After and Care Planning

  1. 6.1.1Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After Children
    Updated
    Under Review
  2. 6.1.2Decision for Children to enter CareMarch 4, 2025
  3. 6.1.3Care PlanningMarch 4, 2025
  4. 6.1.4Ceasing to Look After a ChildSeptember 19, 2023
  5. 6.1.5Permanence Planning GuidanceMarch 4, 2025
  6. 6.1.6Placement Planning and Disruption MeetingsMarch 4, 2025
  7. 6.1.7Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Children in Care
    Updated
    January 6, 2026
  8. 6.1.8NICE Guideline: Looked After Children and Young People

6.2Placements

  1. 6.2.1Placements with ParentsMarch 4, 2025
  2. 6.2.2Placements with Connected PersonsMarch 4, 2025
  3. 6.2.3Placements in Foster CareMarch 4, 2025
  4. 6.2.4Placements in Residential CareMarch 4, 2025
  5. 6.2.5Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare GroundsMarch 4, 2025
  6. 6.2.6Out of Area PlacementsMarch 4, 2025
  7. 6.2.7Placements Outside England and WalesMarch 4, 2025
  8. 6.2.8Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation
    Updated
    January 6, 2026
  9. 6.2.9Notifications from Other Local Authorities/Placement ProvidersMarch 4, 2025
  10. 6.2.10Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential WorkersMarch 4, 2025
  11. 6.2.11Placements in Other ArrangementsSeptember 19, 2023
  12. 6.2.12Bradford Support Accommodation Manual
  13. 6.2.13Bradford Supported Lodgings Handbook

6.3Monitoring and Reviews

  1. 6.3.1Social Worker Visits to Children in CareMarch 4, 2025
  2. 6.3.2Advocacy and Independent VisitorsMarch 4, 2025
  3. 6.3.3Looked After ReviewsJune 24, 2025
  4. 6.3.4Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing OfficersSeptember 23, 2024
  5. 6.3.5Resolving Disputes from Child Looked After ReviewsMarch 4, 2025
  6. 6.3.6Secure Accommodation (Criteria) ReviewsMarch 4, 2025

6.4Contact and Overnight Stays

  1. 6.4.1Family Time with Parents/Adults and SiblingsMarch 4, 2025
  2. 6.4.2Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays)March 4, 2025

6.5Education, School Trips and Holidays

  1. 6.5.1Supporting the Education and Promoting the Achievement of Children with a Social Worker, in Care and Previously Looked After ChildrenJuly 25, 2023
  2. 6.5.2Holidays and School Trips In and Outside the UK
    Updated
    January 6, 2026
  3. 6.5.3Leisure ActivitiesJune 24, 2025

6.6Health and Wellbeing

  1. 6.6.1Health Care Assessments and PlansMay 1, 2024
  2. 6.6.2Personal Care and RelationshipsMarch 4, 2025
  3. 6.6.3Positive Relationships and Behaviour Support
    Updated
    January 6, 2026
  4. 6.6.4Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint
    Updated
    January 6, 2026
  5. 6.6.5Risk Assessment and PlanningJanuary 6, 2026
  6. 6.6.6Health and SafetyJune 24, 2025
  7. 6.6.7Promoting Wellbeing and Positive Identity for a Child or Young Person Who is Looked After: A Quick Guide for Social Workers and Social Care Practitioners

6.7Change of Name and Marriage/Civil Partnership

  1. 6.7.1Change of Name of a Looked After ChildFebruary 7, 2024
  2. 6.7.2Marriage/Civil Partnership of a Looked After ChildNovember 28, 2023

6.8Leaving Care and Transition

  1. 6.8.1Leaving Care and TransitionJune 24, 2025
  2. 6.8.2Staying PutMarch 4, 2025
  3. 6.8.3Bradford Supported Accommodation Manual

6.9Children Involved in the Youth Justice System

  1. 6.9.1Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services
    Updated
    January 6, 2026
  2. 6.9.2Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in CustodyMarch 4, 2025
  3. 6.9.3Children Involved in the Youth Justice System: Additional National Guidance
    Updated
    January 6, 2026

7.Children in Particular Circumstances

7.1Children with Disabilities and Complex Health Needs

  1. 7.1.1Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesAugust 20, 2024
  2. 7.1.2Personal Budgets and Direct PaymentsJune 24, 2025
  3. 7.1.3Short BreaksJune 24, 2025
  4. 7.1.4Placing and Visiting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Health Conditions in Long-Term Residential SettingsJanuary 6, 2026
  5. 7.1.5Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National FrameworkMay 21, 2024

7.2Deprivation of Liberty and Mental Capacity

  1. 7.2.1Deprivation of Liberty
  2. 7.2.2Mental Capacity

7.3Children from Abroad

  1. 7.3.1Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern SlaveryJanuary 6, 2026
  2. 7.3.2Families with No Recourse to Public FundsJanuary 6, 2026

7.4Homelessness

  1. 7.4.1Prevention of Homelessness and Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 Year Olds who may be Homeless and/or Require Accommodation; and Duty to Refer
    Updated
    January 6, 2026

7.5Family and Friends / Kinship Care

  1. 7.5.1Kinship CareJune 24, 2025
  2. 7.5.2Private FosteringMarch 4, 2025
  3. 7.5.3Family Networks and Family Group Decision MakingMarch 18, 2024

7.6Young Carers

  1. 7.6.1Young Carers
    Updated
    January 6, 2026

7.7Relinquished Children

  1. 7.7.1Relinquished ChildrenJanuary 6, 2026

7.8Mental Health

  1. 7.8.1Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983May 21, 2024

8.Fostering

8.1Fostering Services

  1. 8.1.1Fostering PanelMarch 4, 2025
  2. 8.1.2Persons Disqualified from FosteringJuly 26, 2022
  3. 8.1.3Assessment and Approvals of Foster CarersJune 24, 2025
  4. 8.1.4Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer ApprovalSeptember 23, 2024
  5. 8.1.5Supervision and Support of Foster CarersMarch 4, 2025
  6. 8.1.6Training and Development of Foster CarersMarch 23, 2022
  7. 8.1.7Review and Termination of Approval of Foster CarersJuly 26, 2022
  8. 8.1.8Allegations Against Foster CarersJune 24, 2025
  9. 8.1.9Early Permanence PlacementsMarch 4, 2025

9.Adoption and Permanence Services

9.1Adoption

  1. 9.1.1Assessment and Approvals of Prospective AdoptersMarch 4, 2025
  2. 9.1.2Adoption PanelMarch 4, 2025
  3. 9.1.3The Child's Journey - Placement for AdoptionAugust 20, 2024
  4. 9.1.4Adoption Support
    Updated
    January 6, 2026
  5. 9.1.5Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive PlacementsMarch 4, 2025
  6. 9.1.6Adoption ReviewsMarch 4, 2025
  7. 9.1.7Disruption of Adoptive PlacementsMarch 4, 2025
  8. 9.1.8Allegations Against Prospective AdoptersMarch 4, 2025
  9. 9.1.9Inter Country AdoptionMay 21, 2024
  10. 9.1.10Non Agency AdoptionMay 21, 2024
  11. 9.1.11Adoption Case RecordsFebruary 8, 2022
  12. 9.1.12Access to Birth Records and Adoption Case RecordsMarch 4, 2025
  13. 9.1.13Intermediary ServicesMarch 4, 2025
  14. 9.1.14Life Story Books GuidanceMay 21, 2024
  15. 9.1.15Bradford Life Story Work and Practice GuidanceMarch 4, 2025
  16. 9.1.16Later Life LettersMay 21, 2024
  17. 9.1.17Early Permanence PlacementsMarch 4, 2025

9.2Special Guardianship

  1. 9.2.1Applications for Special Guardianship Orders
    Updated
    January 6, 2026
  2. 9.2.2Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship GuidanceSeptember 23, 2024

Last Updated: January 23, 2026

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