Amendments

January 2019

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Children’s Services Policies, Values and Principles	The Children’s Services Polices, Values and Principles chapter has been updated to include a new section on Corporate Parenting in response to the DfE Applying Corporate Parenting Principles to Looked-after Children and Care Leavers - Statutory Guidance (February 2018). It includes the seven corporate parenting principles set out in the guidance.
Confidentiality Policy	This chapter has been updated to reflect the EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.
Child in Need Plans and Reviews	This chapter replaces the chapter titled 'Children in Need/Step Down'. It should be re-read in its entirety.
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline	This chapter has been updated to reflect the additional 'permanence provisions' of the Care Plan which a court is required to consider when deciding whether to make a Care Order, added by s8 Children and Social Work Act 2017.
Recording Policy and Guidelines	This chapter has been updated to reflect the EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.
Case Records for Looked After Children	The Adoption and Care Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018 which came into force on 5 March 2018, make provision for the disclosure of certain information by an adoption agency to another adoption agency.
Access to Records / Subject Access Requests	This chapter replaces the previous chapter of the same name and should be re-read in its entirety.
Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations	This chapter has been updated to reflect the EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery	This chapter replaces the previous 'Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children' chapter. The chapter has been developed to reflect the Care of Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Modern Slavery - Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities (2017).
Relinquished Children	This chapter has been updated to include additional information on parental capacity to consent, in line with High Court case-law.
Decision to Look After and Care Planning	This chapter has been substantially updated in line with recent case law and should be re-read in its entirety.
Permanence Planning Guidance	This chapter has been updated to reflect the additional 'permanence provisions' of the Care Plan which a court is required to consider when deciding whether to make a Court Order, added by S.8 Children and Social Work Act 2017.
Placements with Parents	This chapter has been updated to reflect that the DBS has no eligibility for a standard or enhanced check for birth parents or other adults living in the household. However, the Local Authority has a requirement under the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England Regulations) 2010 to obtain information about unspent convictions and cautions before placing a child back with parents.
Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children	Section 2, Exceptions has been revised to set out more clearly the circumstances where visiting requirements differ from those set out in Section 1, Normal Frequency.
Looked After Reviews	Section 9, The Role of the Looked After Review in Achieving Permanence for the Child has been amended to reflect the outcome of a High Court Judgement in respect of children who were subject to Section 20 and where there were concerns of significant delays in their planning for permanence. The court noted the IROs’ recognition and action over a number of reviews but acknowledged that a more robust response had been needed.
Contact with Parents / Adults and Siblings	This chapter has been updated to take account of the use of mobile phone communication with regards to contact.
Leaving Care and Transition	This new chapter replaces the previous chapter of the same name and should be read in its entirety. It has been updated and revised throughout to reflect the provisions of the C&SW Act 2017 and 3 new statutory guidance documents which require local authorities to offer Personal Adviser support to all care leavers up to the age of 25. Also, to publish their Local Offer for care leavers; and to have regard to seven 'corporate parenting principles'. It has also been updated to add clarification in relation to the definition of Qualifying Young People and to reflect the EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.
Fostering Service Statement of Purpose	This document has been reviewed and updated. It replaces the previous document of the same name.
Assessments and Approvals of Foster Carers	Section 8, After the Panel Recommendation was updated to clarify the decision as to the suitability of the applicant must be made within 7 working days of receipt of the panel’s recommendation and final set of panel minutes – The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 4 (5.39) and Standard 14 (14.9) Fostering panels and the fostering service’s decision-maker.
Adoption Panel	This chapter has been updated to reflect the EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.
Placement for Adoption	This chapter has been updated to reflect the additional consideration of the relationship which the child has with relatives, with any person who is a prospective adopter with whom the child is placed and with any other person in relation to whom the court or agency considers the relationship to be relevant.
Inter Country Adoption	The Inter Country Adoption chapter has been amended in Section 8, Home Study to update the examples given of public funds and government benefits.
Adoption Case Records	The Adoption and Care Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018 which came into force on 5 March 2018, make provision for the disclosure of certain information by an adoption agency to another adoption agency.
Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters	This chapter replaces the previous chapter of the same name and should be re-read in its entirety.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Deprivation of Liberty	This is a live resource and will be kept up-to-date by tri.x as and when required in response to changes in legislation and case law.
Mental Capacity	This is a link to a guide to the statutory principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and how to apply them in practice.
Kinship Care / Friends and Family Policy	This new chapter should be read in its entirety.

Next update: May 2019

Archive

2018 Amendments

March 2018

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Family and Friends Carers Framework	This chapter has been updated.

January 2018

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Portsmouth Early Help Assessment	A step-by-step guide to Portsmouth Early Help Assessment has been updated and should be re-read throughout.
Transfer and Allocation of Work between the MASH, Targeted Early and Children’s Social Care Teams	This process has been updated.
Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need)	This chapter has been updated in line with the requirement to notify Ofsted of any serious childcare incident using the Ofsted online notification form.
Missing from Home and Care Toolkit (PSCB)	This Risk Assessment Toolkit for children going missing from home or from care has been updated.
Case Records for Looked After Children	This chapter has been reviewed to note the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse requires all institutions to retain their records relating to the care of children for the duration of the Inquiry (see Section 2, Retention and Confidentiality of Records).
Private Fostering	This chapter has been amended to add clarity to the definition of private fostering with regards to the legislation and children under 16 who spend more than 2 weeks in residence during holiday time in a school.
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities	This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a court judgement on Ordinary Residence that was included in DHSC, Care and support statutory guidance (December 2016). (See Section 12, Funding Issues - Ordinary Residence). A link has been added into Further Information and Statutory Guidance to guidance on SEND: 19- to 25-year-olds’ entitlement to EHC plans (DfE 2017) and to the Carers Trust resources and information on young carers.
Protocols Concerning the Interface between Children with Disabilities Team, Children Families and Education Services	This chapter has been reviewed and revised to reflect local policy and procedure.
Families with No Recourse to Public Funds	A link has been added to the Securing British Citizenship for Looked After Children. The NRPF have highlighted important information from the Project for the Registration of Children as British Citizens, with regard to the responsibilities that local authorities have to ensure that children in their care have effective access to specialist legal advice so their citizenship or any entitlement to citizenship is secured.
Young Carers	This chapter has been extensively revised with regard to providing guidance on identifying and supporting young carers. Since April 2015, local authorities have had a duty to take 'reasonable steps' to identify children in their area who are young carers, and to determine if they need support. Local authorities must carry out an assessment whenever it appears that a young carer has a need for support (this could be either in their capacity as a young carer or in a more general sense as a child or young person). This assessment is called a Young Carer’s Needs Assessment.
Decision to Look After and Care Planning	This chapter has been amended to reflect the outcome of an Appeal Court hearing (2017) with respect to ‘consent’. The court recognised that the term ‘consent’ itself was not used in Section 20. However, it described previous court observations as ‘good practice guidance’, emphasising its judgment should not alter the content or effect of these. (See Section 1.3.1, Obtaining Parental Consent).
Placements with Connected Persons	Section 3, Approval of Immediate Placements of Looked After Children with Connected Persons has been updated to include matters that should be considered when placing a child with a Connected Person should include an initial risk assessment of any pets, together with the environment in which the pet is kept. A link has been added into Related Guidance to the Family Rights Group Initial Family and Friends Care Assessment good practice guide.
Placements in Secure Accommodation on Welfare Grounds	This procedure has been extensively amended and now includes new/enhanced sections on 'Applications for Secure Accommodation'; 'Children to Whom Section 25 Applies', (including the issues of children aged 16 years and Section 20 Accommodation); 'Placements for Children aged under 13 years' and 'Support, Monitoring and Ending of Placements' etc. The chapter has also been re-titled to reflect its (original) content and purpose (that of applications for children on 'welfare grounds'), thereby distinguishing it from the 'Remands to Local Authority Accommodation, etc' (LASPO Act 2012).
Placements with Parents	Section 1.2, Assessment and Checks before Placement has been updated to include consideration should be given as to whether the home environment is safe for the child including where relevant, the need for a risk assessment of any pets and the environment in which they are kept.
Advocacy and Independent Visitors	This chapter has been updated to add a link to the Children’s Society ‘Advocacy services for children and young people – a guide for commissioners’. This guide outlines the legislative requirements of local authorities in the provision of advocacy support to children in need and looked after children.
Social Visits (including Overnight Stays)	This chapter has been extensively updated following a review of the information. The title of the chapter has been revised to Social Visits (Including Overnight Stays).
Health Care Assessments and Plans	This chapter has been updated with a link to the NICE guideline [NG26] Children’s Attachment: Attachment in Children and Young People who are adopted from Care, in Care or at High Risk of going into Care (see Related Guidance).
Change of Name of a Looked After Child	This procedure has been revised as part of the continuing review of procedures.
Supervision and Support of Foster Carers	Section 5, Support Provided by the Supervising Social Worker (During Placement) has been updated to reflect that the Safer Caring Plan, any changes in household circumstances along with any health and safety issues including the addition of any new pets and the environment in which they are kept should be reviewed as required.
Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters	Section 5.3, Assessment has been updated to include where the applicants have pets, a risk assessment should be conducted and any associated risks should be taken into account with regard to the pet itself and where the pet is kept. Where necessary, an independent assessment should be undertaken by a vet to establish whether the dog falls within the scope of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
Placement for Adoption	This chapter has been updated to link to Contact After Adoption, see Related Guidance section.
Inter Country Adoption	Section 3, Initial Meeting the DfE have published Intercountry Adoption and Resident Status Requirements which set out the minimum requirements, however entry clearance requirements vary depending upon the circumstances of each case and prospective adopters will need to obtain their own independent legal advice to establish the requirements that apply to their individual circumstances. In Section 4, Formal Approval, a link has been added to Intercountry adoption: means test form which contains information on how to apply for a fee reduction for people who wish to adopt a child from overseas and who earn £45,000 per year or less. In Section 12, After Approval information has been added on the Intercountry Adoption Forms: checklist for adoption to which details the paperwork adoption agencies must include in the intercountry adoption applications they submit to DfE.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Children's Consultation and Participation	This chapter has been added to the manual.
MASH Operating Procedures	This document has been added to the manual.
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Risk Assessment Toolkit	This document has been added to the manual.

2017 Amendments

March 2017

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Quality Assurance and Improvement Strategy for Children's Social Care	This chapter has replaced the previous chapter - Quality Strategy and Quality Assurance Framework.
Threshold Document (PSCB Link)	This chapter has been replaced with a PSCB link.
Initial Contacts and Referrals	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Single Assessment Framework: Supporting the Assessment of Children and Families	This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a judgment following an application to remove a child at birth. The judge highlighted ‘good practice steps’ to undertaking assessments and issuing care proceedings in respect of the removal of a child at birth, including the assessment process. (See Section 9, Pre-Birth 'Good Practice Steps').
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline	This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a judgment following an application to remove a child at birth. The judge highlighted what were thought to be ‘good practice steps’ to issuing care proceedings in respect of the removal of a child at birth. (See Section 3.1, Pre-birth Planning and Proceedings).
Legal Planning Meetings	This chapter has been updated to reflect the outcome of a judgment following an application to remove a child at birth. The judge set out what were thought to be ‘basic and good practice steps’. (See Section 2, Considerations).
Short Breaks	A link to Friendship for All (The Children's Society) has been added to this chapter.
Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Decision to Look After and Care Planning	A link has been added to the ADCS/Cafcass Practice Guidance for the Use of Section 20.
Placements in Secure Accommodation	This chapter has been amended to acknowledge the President of the High Court’s judgement regarding applications in English courts for Secure Accommodation placements in Scotland. Amendments have also been made to reflect the revised process by which a secure placement is sought. (See Section 4.1, Placement Request, Identification and Approval).
Looked After Reviews	This chapter has been amended to note The Law Society guidance ‘Attendance of solicitors at local authority Children Act Meetings’ and their Code of Conduct where the child or family who attend reviews are supported by a legal representative. (See Section 8, Independent Reviewing Officer's Responsibilities).
Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing Officers	This chapter has been updated in relation to the role of the Independent Reviewing Officer in line with the Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (2015). In particular, the IRO being sensitive to the close and active involvement of parents of a child looked after in a series of Short Breaks and problem-solving where there might be difficulties or issues.
Education of Looked After Children	The references and hyperlinks have been updated.
Safer Care Policy	This chapter has been updated.
Foster Carers Dispensing of Medicines Policy	This chapter has been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Participation Strategy	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Missing from Home and Care Toolkit (PSCB Link)	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Electronic Recording of Meetings and Conversations	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Children and Young People Aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Relinquished Children	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Fostering Service Statement of Purpose	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Removed Chapters
Runaway and Missing from Home and Care (RMFHC) Protocol for Children’s Social Care, Police & other Partner Agencies.

2016 Amendments

June 2016

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Children’s Services Policies, Values and Principles	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Confidentiality Policy	This chapter has been extensively revised to reflect Information Sharing Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers (March 2015).
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline	The information and links relating to the ADCS website have been updated.
Legal Planning Meetings	This chapter has been revised to reflect the guidance issued by Judge Munby (in the matter of N (Children) (Adoption: Jurisdiction) [2015] EWCA Civ 1112) regarding the appropriate use of Section 20.
Whistleblowing Policy	A link to 'Whistleblowing about children's social care services to Ofsted' has been added to this manual.
Recording Policy and Guidelines	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Case Records for Looked After Children	References to health and education plans have been added to Section 1, The Case Record, of this chapter.
Access to Records	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Direct Payments	This chapter has been updated to reflect the provisions of the Care Act 2014. A new Section 7, Hospital Stays, was added.
Short Breaks	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full
Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers	This chapter has been revised to reflect the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 regarding trafficking. A reference and link has also been added to the ADCS Asylum Task Force/Home Office good practice materials on age assessment.
Families with No Recourse to Public Funds	A reference has been added to Section 2, Role of the Local Authority to issues that may indicate that the child is or has been trafficked or a victim of compulsory labour, servitude and slavery.
Decision to Look After and Care Planning	This chapter has been revised to reflect the guidance issued by Judge Munby (in the matter of N (Children) (Adoption: Jurisdiction) [2015] EWCA Civ 1112) regarding the appropriate use of Section 20.
Permanence Planning Guidance	Section 3.7, Long-term Fostering, has been revised to make clear that foster carers do not have any responsibility for young people once they have left care or reached the age of 18 years.
Staying Put Procedure	Policy and procedural matters regarding Staying Put have now been consolidated into a single chapter. Please note that insurance cover is no longer available from BAAF.
Placements in Foster Care	This chapter has been updated to reflect the The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (2015). A new Section 9, Long-Term Foster Placements has been added.
Placements in Residential Care	This chapter has been revised and updated throughout and should be re-read in full. A new subsection, Emergency Placements, has also been added to Section 2.3 Placement Planning.
Placements with Connected Persons	This chapter has been significantly revised and updated and should be re-read throughout.
Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children	This chapter has been updated to reflect the revised visiting requirements in respect of long term foster placements as set out in The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (2015).
Advocacy and Independent Visitors	This chapter has been extensively revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Looked After Reviews	This chapter has been updated to include the requirements of the The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (2015).
Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews	This chapter has been revised to clarify expectations regarding chairing arrangements and the involvement of Independent Reviewing Officers.
Contact with Parents / Adults and Siblings	This chapter has been extensively revised and updated throughout and should be re-read in full.
Overnight Stays and Social Visits	Minor revisions have been made to this chapter in the interest of clarity.
Education of Looked After Children	The references and hyperlinks in this chapter have been updated.
Health Care Assessments and Plans	This chapter has been extensively revised to reflect the Statutory guidance for local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and NHS England (March 2015).
Restrictive Physical Intervention	This chapters has been substantially revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Supervision and Support of Foster Carers	A link to the Transfer of Foster Carers Protocol England has been added to this chapter.
Managing Concerns, Complaints & Allegations against Foster Carers, including Historical Allegations	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters	This chapter has been revised in the interests of clarity and new links have been added.
Adoption Panel	Minor revisions have been made to Section 1, Adoption Panel Purpose and Function and Section 2, Adoption Panel Membership in the interests of clarity.
Adoption Support	A new Sub-section 9.8, Remuneration of Former Foster Parents has been added to this chapter as was a link to the Adoption Support Fund. Additional minor revisions have been made to the chapter in the interests of clarity.
Adoption Reviews	Paragraph 5.1.d in this chapter has been revised in the interests of clarity.
Intermediary Services	A reference to the applicants under the age of 18 has been added to Section 6.1, No Obligation to Proceed if not Appropriate, a new Section 7.7, Offence has been also added.
Court Reports in Adoption/Special Guardianship Guidance	This chapter has been revised and updated to reflect the enhanced assessment and reporting requirements (for all applications made from 29 February 2016) as set out in the Special Guardianship (Amendment) Regulations 2016.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Kinship Care / Friends and Family Policy	This Portsmouth Policy is now accessible through this online manual.
Children in Need	This entirely new Portsmouth Procedure document was added to this manual. It replaces a previous chapter entitled “Children in Need Plans and Reviews”.
Young Carers	These new procedures are based on the Young Carers (Needs Assessment) Regulations 2015 which were implemented on 1 April 2015.
Ceasing to Look After a Child	This new chapter reflects the statutory guidance ‘Ceasing to look after a child’ in ‘Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations (2015)’ as amended by the ‘Care Planning and Fostering (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2015’ together with Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Child Safety Online: A practical guide for parents and carers whose children are using social media	This UK government guide for parents is now accessible through this online manual.
PCC Special Guardianship Orders Policy	This entirely new Portsmouth Policy document was added to this manual. It replaces a previous chapter entitled “Application for Special Guardianship Orders”.

2015 Amendments

June 2015

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Confidentiality Policy	Section 2, Confidentiality Values and Principles has been revised to link to the March 2015 government publication Information sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers.
Application for Emergency Protection Orders	This chapter has been updated throughout in line with the revised Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities on Court Orders and Pre-Proceedings (2014), the revised family justice and courts system, and a new Section 6, Powers to Assist in Discovery of Children Who May Be In Need Of Emergency Protection, has been added.
Legal Planning Meetings	This chapter has been updated throughout in line with revised guidance Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities on Court Orders and Pre-Proceedings (2014).
Working with Resistant and Non-Compliant Families: Guidance for all Agencies Undertaking Direct Work with Families	A link to the updated (March 2015) advice for practitioners, 'What to if you’re worried a child is being abused' has been added to this chapter.
Complaints and Representations	A link to the DfE Young Persons Guide to Children and Families Act 2014 has been added to this chapter.
Whistleblowing Policy	A link to Raising Concerns at Work: Whistleblowing Guidance for Workers and employers in Health and Social Care (2014) has been added to this chapter.
Access to Records	This chapter has been updated in line with Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 3: Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers (revised January 2015). A new Section 8, Applications by Care Leavers has been added.
Direct Payments	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers	This chapter has been updated to take account of the 2014 statutory guidance for local authorities on the care of unaccompanied asylum seeking and trafficked children.
Decision to Look After and Care Planning	This chapter has been updated in line with Looked-after Children: Contact with Siblings - Update to Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. Additional information has been added in to Section 1.4, Actions required after a Decision to Look After is made, in relation to sibling placement.
Permanence Planning Guidance	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Out of Area Placements	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Placements with Parents	This chapter has been updated. Additional information has been added into Section 1.7, Ending of Placement, to take account of recent case-law.
Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Looked After Children and Young People in Contact with Youth Justice Services	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Looked After Reviews	Section 5-8 in this chapter have been revised and updated and should be re-read. References to management roles have also been revised and updated throughout the chapter.
Dispute Resolution Protocol for Independent Reviewing Officers	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Contact with Parents and Siblings	This chapter has been updated in line with the Looked-after Children: Contact with Siblings - Update to Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review. Additional information has been added in to Section 1, Approving and Planning Contact in relation to sibling placement.
Education of Looked After Children	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Health Care Assessments and Plans	A link to the revised (March 2015) Statutory Guidance on Promoting the Health and Well-being of Looked After Children has been added.
Leaving Care and Transition	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters	This chapter has been updated in line with the Children and Families Act 2014 and the overall aim of speeding up the adoption process. The chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. Information has been added in relation to: Fostering for Adoption (sections 1 and 5.4); Adoption Register (section 9); Duty to provide information on adoption support services (sections 1 and 2); Ethnicity (section 15.3).
Adoption Support	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Intermediary Services	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Application for Special Guardianship Orders	This chapter has been updated to reflect the introduction of Child Arrangements Orders.
Life Story Books	Section 1, What is a Life Story Book?, has been amended to make clear that all children with a plan for adoption must have a Life Story Book.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Single Assessment Framework: Supporting the Assessment of Children and Families	This new chapter sets out the Portsmouth approach to child and family assessment in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline	This chapter has been added to the manual. It replaces and updates two previously separate chapters.
Abuse in Faith Settings - Multi-faith Safeguarding Hub	This Safer Network resources is now accessible through this online manual.
Safe Sleeping - Postnatal Care NICE Clinical Guideline 37 (Dec 2014)	This NICE Clinical Guidance is now accessible through this online manual.
Reflective Practice Meetings (Portsmouth SCB)	This Portsmouth document has been added to the manual.
Runaway and Missing from Home and Care (RMFHC) Protocol for Children’s Social Care, Police & other Partner Agencies - draft	This Portsmouth protocol has been added to the manual.
Missing Person Form	This form is now accessible through this online manual.
Missing Report	This report form is now accessible through this online manual.
Missing from Home and Care (Statutory Guidance)	A link to this statutory guidance has been added to the manual.
Children Missing Education (Statutory Guidance)	A link to this statutory guidance has been added to the manual.
Protocols Concerning the Interface between Children with Disabilities Team, Children's Social Care & Safeguarding and Education	This protocol document has been added to the manual.
Portsmouth Local Offer	Details of, and a link to, the Portsmouth Local Offer for disabled children have been added to the manual.
Independent Family Returns Panel	Information regarding the Independent Family Returns Panel is now available in this online manual.
Families with No Recourse to Public Funds	This new chapter has been added to the manual.
Staying Put Policy	This policy document has been added to the manual.
Staying Put Procedure	This procedure document is now accessible through this online manual.
IRO Dispute Resolution Questionnaire	This pro-forma is now accessible from this online manual.
Safer Care Policy - draft	This draft policy has been added to the manual.
Cyberbullying - Advice for Parents and Carers (DfE)	This national guidance is now accessible from this online manual.
Responsibilities of the Local Authority to Former Looked After Children and Young People in Custody	This new chapter sets out the role and responsibilities of the local authority in respect of former looked after children and young people who are in custody.
Foster Carers Dispensing of Medicines Policy - draft	This Portsmouth policy document has been added to the manual.
Fostering for Adoption and Concurrent Planning Procedure	This Portsmouth procedure has been added to the manual.
Rescinding Adoption Plans for Children	This Portsmouth document has been added to the manual.
Removed Chapters
Initial Assessments; Core Assessments (including Section 47 Enquiries); Developing Local Protocols for Assessment.

2014 Amendments

March 2014

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Quality Strategy and Quality Assurance Framework	This document has been entirely revised and updated and should be re-read in full.
Core Assessments (including Section 47 Enquiries)	Changes have been made to Section 9.3, Child at Continuing Risk of Significant Harm. Roles and expectations for managing and enacting Core group responsibilities are set out.
Children in Need / Step Down	This chapter has been updated to set out a new timescale for a plan to be developed by the CIN team following referral. It clarifies the requirement that all children aged 5 or older be involved in the plan and requires that a planning meeting will be convened within 4 weeks of the plan being formulated. It also identifies who will chair review planning meetings following step down from Child Protection Plans and who will be the lead professional at that meeting.
Public Law Outline	This chapter sets out the details of the Pilot Scheme of the revised Public Law Outline.
Legal Planning Meetings	This chapter has been revised to make reference to the revised Public Law Outline.
Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need)	This chapter has been entirely revised to reflect Working Together to Safeguard Children and should be re-read in full.
Provision of Accommodation to Homeless 16 and 17 Year Olds	Links to the Portsmouth Protocol and the statutory guidance on the GOV.UK website have been added to this chapter.
Decision to Look After and Care Planning	A new Section 1.3, Obtaining Parental Consent to Look After a Child has been added to this chapter.
Permanence Planning Guidance	This chapter has been updated in line with the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review and Fostering Services (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2010 and revised Adoption Statutory Guidance. A new Section 4.4, Fostering for Adoption has been added.
Placement Panel Terms of Reference	This chapter has been entirely revised and updated and should be read in full.
Placement in Foster Care	This chapter has been extensively updated in line with the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review and Fostering Services (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013, which came into force on 1 July 2013. Section 8, Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters has been added. Changes have also been made in relation to information to be included in the Placement Plan for children in foster care.
Out of Area Placements	A note has been added to this chapter to make clear that different provisions apply to children who acquire Looked After status as a result of a remand to local authority accommodation or Youth Detention Accommodation.
Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children	A note has been added to this chapter to make clear that different provisions apply to children who acquire Looked After status as a result of a remand to local authority accommodation or Youth Detention Accommodation.
Looked After Reviews	A note has been added to this chapter to make clear that different provisions apply to children who acquire Looked After status as a result of a remand to local authority accommodation or Youth Detention Accommodation.
Education of Looked After Children	A note has been added to this chapter to make clear that different provisions apply to children who acquire Looked After status as a result of a remand to local authority accommodation or Youth Detention Accommodation.
Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers	This chapter has been extensively updated in line with the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review and Fostering Services (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013, which came into force on 1 July 2013, and revised Statutory Guidance. A new two-stage assessment process was introduced. The chapter should be re-read throughout.
Exemptions and Extensions	Section 6, Extension/Variation to the Foster Carer’s Terms of Approval has been slightly updated.
Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers	This chapter has been updated in line with the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review and Fostering Services (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013, which came into force on 1 July 2013. Sections 5.2, Proposal to revise the terms of the foster carer’s approval and 7, Resignation by Foster Carers have been added.
Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters	This chapter has been extensively updated in line with the Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013, which came into force on 1 July 2013. A new two-stage assessment process was introduced, with amended timescales, and a fast-track process for previous adopters/foster carers. The chapter should be re-read throughout.
Adoption Panel	This chapter has been updated in line with the Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013, which came into force on 1 July 2013. The adoption agency must decide whether the prospective adopter is suitable to adopt a child within four months of the date on which the agency received the prospective adopter’s notification that they wished to proceed with the assessment process.
Placement for Adoption	This chapter has been updated in line with the Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013, which came into force on 1 July 2013. Section 8, Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters has been added. In Section, 12, Children Approved for Adoption for Whom no Placement has been Identified, the duty was added to pass the child's details to the Adoption Register immediately after the decision by the Agency Decision Maker (Adoption) that the child should be placed for adoption, and, in any event, at the latest by 3 months.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Threshold Document – Continuum of Help and Support	This document provides a framework for professionals who are working with children, young people and families; it aims to help identify when a child may need additional support to achieve their full potential and introduces a continuum of help and support.
Developing Local Protocols for Assessment	This chapter, therefore, provides guidance about creating a local protocol for assessment. It is intended to be used alongside the Assessment Procedure and the Local Threshold Guidance.
Working with Resistant and Non-Compliant Families: Guidance for all Agencies Undertaking Direct Work with Families	This guidance has been developed in response to the recommendations arising from a local Serious Case Review. The current PSCB interagency procedures guide workers to address resistance from families on an interagency basis and recommends that a strategy meeting should be convened to consider the impact on the children and determine any further action required to safeguard children.
Missing from Home and Care (Statutory Guidance)	A link to the January 2014 Statutory Guidance: Children who run away or go missing from home or care.
Portsmouth Basic Guide to Care Planning	Portsmouth’s guide to writing care plans has been added to the manual.
Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers	This chapter sets out the arrangements for delegation to carers of the authority to make decisions relating to Looked After children, under the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review and Fostering Services (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013 (which amend the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010), and revised Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review.
Key Principles of Care Plan Reviews	This new document sets out expectations regarding the review of care plans.
Children Subject of a Child Protection Plan Who Become Looked After	This new chapter sets out to improve the clarity of planning when a child subject of a child protection plan becomes looked after.
Housing Options – Procedure for Fostering and Adoption Scheme	This new chapter provides details of the direct nominations scheme to award high priority to families who wish to adopt or foster children but whose existing accommodation is not adequate to enable them to do this.
Supervision Checklist	This new document provides a diagrammatic representation of the supervisory cycle.
Case Holder and Key Workers Staff Development Portfolio	Portsmouth’s Staff Development Portfolio is designed to help Case Holders and Key Workers and their managers to work together to build on existing skill and knowledge and to plan learning and development.
Reflective Practice Meeting Flowchart	This flowchart puts the Reflective Practice meeting in a chronological and practice context.

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